Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dunedin, FL: $67,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Dunedin, FL earns a median $67,079/year (≈ $32.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Dunedin's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $66,547 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Dunedin is projected to reach a median annual figure of $67,079, slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for assistants in this coastal city spans from $49,702 at the 10th percentile to $85,354 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in experience, work settings, and productivity expectations. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for local cost adjustments. As a community with a focus on rehabilitation services, the job market for physical therapists in Dunedin presents competitive compensation opportunities within outpatient and inpatient facilities, with numerous positions aimed at maximizing patient throughput upon which salary structures often depend.
About the Dunedin Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,702 | $23.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,324 | $29.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,079 | $32.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,419 | $36.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,354 | $41.04 |
Median Salary Position
4.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dunedin
In Dunedin, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,652 (2026 est.). At $67,079, the local median is 4.51% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dunedin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dunedin Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Dunedin median: $67,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dunedin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,019 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.51% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Dunedin, FL earn a median of $67,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.51% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.20% below the Florida state average of $70,019.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dunedin has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dunedin, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,079 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,547 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,139
2025 BLS Actual
$65,296
2026 Current Est.
$67,079
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dunedin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,139 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,074 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,939 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,296 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,910 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dunedin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,139 (2019) to $65,296 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,910 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,771 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dunedin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,702 – $60,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,324 – $67,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,079 – $76,419 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,419 – $85,354 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Dunedin
Analyzing the localized job market, Dunedin currently employs six physical therapist assistants, a figure that reveals both the opportunity for personal connection in caregiving and potential competition for well-paying positions. With a cost of living index of 100.8, taking home a competitive salary in Dunedin means being mindful of housing and everyday expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest compensation relative to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies due to productivity demands and reimbursement structures. The spread in earnings can be influenced by settings, with those in hospitals typically earning more, while cuts in Medicare reimbursements have notably impacted pay in SNFs and outpatient settings. For aspiring physical therapist assistants keen on maximizing their pay in this evolving market, securing experience in high-demand environments and pursuing continuous education opportunities, like PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, can provide a significant advantage.
More salary data for Dunedin, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Dunedin, FL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Dunedin?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,296 for physical therapist assistantsin the Dunedin metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dunedin 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