PT Assistant Salary

North Miami Beach vs Tampa: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

North Miami Beach, FL
$66,486
$31.96/hr
Tampa, FL
$72,086
$34.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Miami Beach, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$66,486$72,086
Hourly Rate$31.96$34.65
Entry Level (P10)$48,587$60,785
25th Percentile$59,085$64,494
75th Percentile$76,492$78,568
Top Earner (P90)$85,828$84,136
Total Employed111,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Miami Beach ($66,486) and Tampa ($72,086) physical therapist assistant salaries.North Miami BeachTampaMedian Salary$66,486$72,086Entry Level (P10)$48,587$60,785Top Earner (P90)$85,828$84,136US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between North Miami Beach and Tampa is $5,600 (8.42%). Tampa's median is +2.62% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Miami Beach spans $37,241,Tampa spans $23,351. North Miami Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Miami Beach
P10 (Entry)$48,587
P25$59,085
Median$66,486
P75$76,492
P90 (Top)$85,828
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$60,785
P25$64,494
Median$72,086
P75$78,568
P90 (Top)$84,136

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($71,450 effective) pays 8.33% more than North Miami Beach ($65,958 effective).

North Miami Beach
Nominal: $66,486
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $65,958
Tampa
Nominal: $72,086
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $71,450

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Miami Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,828)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,086/year)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,450)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in North Miami Beach grew 2.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

North Miami Beach, FL

+2.4%

$63,198 (2024) → $64,719 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+7.2%

$65,480 (2019) → $70,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: North Miami Beach or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $72,086/year, compared to North Miami Beach at $66,486/year — a difference of $5,600 (8.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Miami Beach and Tampa?

North Miami Beach physical therapist assistants earn $31.96/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $34.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Miami Beach to Tampa as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Miami Beach and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Miami Beach = $65,958, Tampa = $71,450), job availability (11 vs 1,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in North Miami Beach vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $48,587 in North Miami Beach and $60,785 in Tampa. The Tampa 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