PT Assistant Salary

Pembroke Pines vs Tampa: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Pembroke Pines, FL
$71,501
$34.37/hr
Tampa, FL
$72,086
$34.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPembroke Pines, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$71,501$72,086
Hourly Rate$34.37$34.65
Entry Level (P10)$47,689$60,785
25th Percentile$60,449$64,494
75th Percentile$81,229$78,568
Top Earner (P90)$99,090$84,136
Total Employed401,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pembroke Pines ($71,501) and Tampa ($72,086) physical therapist assistant salaries.Pembroke PinesTampaMedian Salary$71,501$72,086Entry Level (P10)$47,689$60,785Top Earner (P90)$99,090$84,136US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Pembroke Pines and Tampa is $585 (0.82%). 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 Pembroke Pines spans $51,401,Tampa spans $23,351. Pembroke Pines has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pembroke Pines
P10 (Entry)$47,689
P25$60,449
Median$71,501
P75$81,229
P90 (Top)$99,090
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 0.73% more than Pembroke Pines ($70,934 effective).

Pembroke Pines
Nominal: $71,501
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $70,934
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 Pembroke Pines if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,090)
  • 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 Pembroke Pines grew 2.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Pembroke Pines, FL

+2.4%

$67,965 (2024) → $69,601 (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: Pembroke Pines or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $72,086/year, compared to Pembroke Pines at $71,501/year — a difference of $585 (0.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pembroke Pines and Tampa?

Pembroke Pines physical therapist assistants earn $34.37/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $34.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pembroke Pines to Tampa as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pembroke Pines and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pembroke Pines = $70,934, Tampa = $71,450), job availability (40 vs 1,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Pembroke Pines vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $47,689 in Pembroke Pines 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