PT Assistant Salary

Miami vs Winter Garden: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Miami, FL
$74,510
$35.82/hr
Winter Garden, FL
$67,507
$32.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLWinter Garden, FL
Median Salary$74,510$67,507
Hourly Rate$35.82$32.45
Entry Level (P10)$63,426$51,007
25th Percentile$67,504$61,229
75th Percentile$74,818$77,411
Top Earner (P90)$81,773$86,727
Total Employed3,42010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($74,510) and Winter Garden ($67,507) physical therapist assistant salaries.MiamiWinter GardenMedian Salary$74,510$67,507Entry Level (P10)$63,426$51,007Top Earner (P90)$81,773$86,727US Median $70,247

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Winter Garden.

The salary gap between Miami and Winter Garden is $7,003 (10.37%). 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,Winter Garden spans $35,720. Winter Garden 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
Winter Garden
P10 (Entry)$51,007
P25$61,229
Median$67,507
P75$77,411
P90 (Top)$86,727

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winter Garden ($66,971 effective) pays 2.61% more than Miami ($65,271 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $74,510
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $65,271
Winter Garden
Nominal: $67,507
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $66,971

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)
  • Larger job market (3,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Winter Garden if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($86,727)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,971)
  • 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 2.4% growth in Winter Garden over the same period.

Miami, FL

+18.3%

$61,330 (2019) → $72,530 (2025)

Winter Garden, FL

+2.4%

$64,168 (2024) → $65,713 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Miami or Winter Garden?

Miami has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $74,510/year, compared to Winter Garden at $67,507/year — a difference of $7,003 (10.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Winter Garden?

Miami physical therapist assistants earn $35.82/hr while Winter Garden hygienists earn $32.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Winter Garden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $65,271, Winter Garden = $66,971), job availability (3,420 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $63,426 in Miami and $51,007 in Winter Garden. 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