Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Miami, FL: $35.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Miami, FL runs $35.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,510 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Miami's regional price level (BEA RPP 114.2, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,706 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Miami, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $35.82, surpassing the national average of $33.77 per hour. This competitive hourly rate provides flexibility for part-time workers, often choosing schedules that fit their lifestyle, such as three days a week, translating to about $1,072 a week for 24 hours of work. Furthermore, per-diem physical therapist assistants operate in diverse settings, including outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, and various rehabilitation units, earning in a range generally between $30.50 at entry-level positions to about $39.31 for top earners. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2026 reflects these figures, greatly influencing career decisions for current associate-level PTAs and those pursuing PTA-to-DPT pathways.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.50 | $244.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.45 | $259.62 |
| Median (P50) | $35.82 | $286.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.97 | $287.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.31 | $314.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Miami
Based on $35.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.82/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Miami, FL can expect to earn approximately $74,510 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,986. With a cost-of-living index of 114.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Miami.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Miami
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,432.88 | $6,209 | $74,510 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $859.73 | $3,725 | $44,706 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.15 | $2,484 | $29,804 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Miami) | $35.82 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Miami, FL earn a median of $74,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.07% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.50% above the Florida state average of $69,963.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.82/hr = $44,706/year (purchasing power: $39,162).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,510/year (purchasing power: $65,271).
CoL index: 114.155 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Miami (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Miami grew 18.2% from $29.49/hr (2019) to $34.87/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.80/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Miami 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Miami
When looking at the part-time earning potential, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week can expect a substantial annual income, totaling approximately $55,942 if consistently employed. For those considering per-diem roles, these workers often bill between $32-$48 hourly, with travel positions yielding broader contracts ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Salary rates will fluctuate based on the type of employer; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics might offer more competitive physical therapist assistant hourly rates than skilled nursing facilities still grappling with the effects of the 15% Medicare cut effective in 2022. While some PTAs may accept lower hourly rates for the stability of health benefits, others might prioritize higher hourly wages without benefits. Overall, negotiating salary in Miami's market can be pivotal; knowing the average to aim for and understanding the nuances of employer budgets will serve PTAs well in their career journey.
More salary data for Miami, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Miami in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Miami?
Are physical therapist assistants in Miami paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Miami?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Miami?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Miami. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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