PT Assistant Salary

Miami vs Wildwood: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Miami, FL and Wildwood, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Miami, FL
$74,510
$35.82/hr
Wildwood, FL
$72,404
$34.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLWildwood, FL
Median Salary$74,510$72,404
Hourly Rate$35.82$34.82
Entry Level (P10)$63,426$60,313
25th Percentile$67,504$63,446
75th Percentile$74,818$75,332
Top Earner (P90)$81,773$80,417
Total Employed3,42060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($74,510) and Wildwood ($72,404) physical therapist assistant salaries.MiamiWildwoodMedian Salary$74,510$72,404Entry Level (P10)$63,426$60,313Top Earner (P90)$81,773$80,417US Median $70,247

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wildwood.

The salary gap between Miami and Wildwood is $2,106 (2.91%). Miami's median is +6.07% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $18,347,Wildwood spans $20,104. Wildwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$63,426
P25$67,504
Median$74,510
P75$74,818
P90 (Top)$81,773
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$60,313
P25$63,446
Median$72,404
P75$75,332
P90 (Top)$80,417

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wildwood ($84,758 effective) pays 29.86% more than Miami ($65,271 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $74,510
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $65,271
Wildwood
Nominal: $72,404
CoL Index: 85.424
Adjusted: $84,758

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,510/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,773)
  • Larger job market (3,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Wildwood if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,758)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Miami grew 18.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.8% growth in Wildwood over the same period.

Miami, FL

+18.3%

$61,330 (2019) → $72,530 (2025)

Wildwood, FL

+1.8%

$69,210 (2024) → $70,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Miami or Wildwood?

Miami has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $74,510/year, compared to Wildwood at $72,404/year — a difference of $2,106 (2.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Wildwood?

Miami physical therapist assistants earn $35.82/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $34.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Wildwood as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $65,271, Wildwood = $84,758), job availability (3,420 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Miami vs Wildwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $63,426 in Miami and $60,313 in Wildwood. The Miami area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov