Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ocala, FL: $66,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ocala, FL earns a median $66,343/year (≈ $31.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ocala's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.2), that paycheck buys what $69,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ocala, Florida, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is $66,343 in 2026, showcasing a notable position within the state's healthcare landscape. This salary sits below the national median of $70,247, highlighting a pay discrepancy that reflects local market dynamics and cost-of-living considerations. Physical therapist assistants in this region can expect to see salaries ranging from $54,139 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $79,215 at the upper end (90th percentile). These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, underscore the financial implications of the recent Medicare cuts. As the market adjusts, the changing landscape has created a divide between outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities, influencing both job availability and salary levels in Ocala.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,139 | $26.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,772 | $29.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,343 | $31.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,925 | $35.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,215 | $38.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ocala
In Ocala, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,076 (2026 est.). At $66,343, the local median is 5.56% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ocala: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ocala Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ocala median: $66,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ocala Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $69,982 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.56% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ocala, FL earn a median of $66,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.20% below the Florida state average of $69,982.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ocala has a cost of living 4.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ocala, FL has a cost-of-living index of 95.234 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,343 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,420
2025 BLS Actual
$64,580
2026 Current Est.
$66,343
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ocala (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,154 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ocala metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 1.8% from $63,420 (2019) to $64,580 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,154 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,734 (7.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ocala 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) | $54,139 – $61,772 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,772 – $66,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,343 – $73,925 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,925 – $79,215 |
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 Ocala
With approximately 130 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Ocala, the local job market is feeling the effects of both demand and the cost-of-living index, which stands at 95.234—indicating an affordability advantage for residents. Among the various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer superior compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities, where the impact of the 15% Medicare cut has become evident. As reimbursement rates decline, expectations for productivity and the need for physical therapists to supervise PTAs can further exacerbate pay disparities. To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider diversifying their skill set and exploring opportunities in higher-paying settings like outpatient clinics or acute care hospitals. Engaging in PTA-to-DPT bridge programs can also bolster qualifications and enhance long-term salary prospects in Ocala, FL.
More salary data for Ocala, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Ocala, FL in 2026?
Is Ocala, FL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ocala?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Ocala?
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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 $64,580 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ocala 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
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