Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Davie, FL: $50,941 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Davie, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,941 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davie's local price level (BEA RPP 100.8 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,537 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($70,512) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the physical therapist assistant profession in Davie can expect a starting salary around $50,941, significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $70,512. This gap highlights the common financial realities many face at the beginning of their careers. However, as entry-level professionals gain experience, salaries are projected to rise substantially. Over the first three to five years, salaries can grow as high as $62,628 for those at the 25th percentile, moving closer to the median as skills and responsibilities expand. Overall, Davie's job market presents a promising landscape for recent graduates, offering solid growth opportunities within the physical therapy sector.
About the Davie Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davie
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davie
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Davie, FL typically start between $50,941 and $62,628 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,534 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $70,512 — 0.38% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Florida of $16,000 represents just 31.41% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($50,941/year) in Davie. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Davie
- 1Research the Davie market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $50,941 to $62,628, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davie, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Davie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Davie's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Davie is $44,534 ( 87.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,941, experienced hygienists can earn up to $95,475.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,737
2025 BLS Actual
$49,587
2026 Current Est.
$50,941
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Davie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,737 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,714 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,007 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,696 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,587 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,941 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,331 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Davie, FL grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,737 in 2019 to $49,587 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $52,331. New graduates entering the Davie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Davie
Employers in Davie actively seeking new physical therapist assistant graduates primarily include outpatient rehabilitation clinics, which typically have strong hiring patterns. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are still on the lookout for new talent despite recent reimbursement cuts affecting PTA job growth potential. In contrast, home health agencies often prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, potentially limiting immediate options for recent graduates. To enhance starting physical therapist assistant pay in Florida, candidates should prioritize obtaining their Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and securing a state PTA license. Additional credentials such as BLS certification and advanced proficiency through APTA can further boost earning potential. Given the recent changes in Medicare reimbursements, which included a 15% reduction to services provided by PTAs starting in 2022, new graduates should anticipate growth in salaries over the initial few years in this field will be gradual, aligning with their experience and the demands of different healthcare settings in Davie.
More salary data for Davie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Davie in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Davie?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Davie?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Davie?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Florida?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Davie. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Davie is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov