Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL: $73,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Fort Lauderdale, FL earns a median $73,428/year (≈ $35.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Fort Lauderdale's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $72,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Fort Lauderdale, FL, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $73,428 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by approximately 4.53%. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $51,740 (P10) and experienced professionals earning up to $97,867 (P90). These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences. Job productivity expectations play a crucial role in determining compensation, as clients often influence the visits-per-day rate, directly affecting potential earnings in this competitive market.
About the Fort Lauderdale Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,740 | $24.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,172 | $30.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,428 | $35.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,177 | $41.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,867 | $47.05 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Lauderdale
In Fort Lauderdale, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,127 (2026 est.). At $73,428, the local median is 4.53% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Lauderdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Lauderdale Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Lauderdale median: $73,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Lauderdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $69,998 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +4.53% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Lauderdale, FL earn a median of $73,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.90% above the Florida state average of $69,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Lauderdale has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Lauderdale, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,428 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,845 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,453
2025 BLS Actual
$71,477
2026 Current Est.
$73,428
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Lauderdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,477 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $61,453 (2019) to $71,477 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,980 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Lauderdale 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) | $51,740 – $64,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,172 – $73,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,428 – $87,177 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,177 – $97,867 |
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 Fort Lauderdale
In Fort Lauderdale, the local job market for physical therapist assistants employs about 29 professionals, which indicates steady demand amidst a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.8. This relatively high cost of living impacts the purchasing power of local salaries, making it essential for PTAs to maximize their earnings. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities often provide the highest pay within the community, while those in less intensive settings, like school therapy programs, tend to offer lower compensation. Factors driving the variance in pay include the shift to outpatient care post-Medicare cuts, supervision requirements, and productivity expectations. To enhance earning potential, physical therapist assistants can pursue certifications or expand their skill sets, positioning themselves favorably for higher-paying opportunities and tapping into PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways for career advancement.
More salary data for Fort Lauderdale, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 2026?
Is Fort Lauderdale, FL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Fort Lauderdale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Fort Lauderdale?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Fort Lauderdale?
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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 $71,477 for physical therapist assistantsin the Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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