Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Orlando, FL: $73,051 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Orlando, FL earns a median $73,051/year (≈ $35.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Orlando's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.4), that paycheck buys what $72,030 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant in Orlando, Florida, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $73,051, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $70,247. Salary ranges for this occupation span from $61,474 at the 10th percentile to $82,780 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for growth based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which provide a comprehensive overview of compensation trends in the region. Effective productivity expectations significantly shape compensation, as the number of patient visits per day plays a crucial role in maximizing earnings. The local job market offers numerous opportunities, particularly for those who can navigate the demands of various healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,474 | $29.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,586 | $31.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,051 | $35.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,674 | $37.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,780 | $39.80 |
Median Salary Position
3.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orlando
In Orlando, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,306 (2026 est.). At $73,051, the local median is 3.99% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Orlando: You'd be above the median
How Orlando Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Orlando median: $73,051/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orlando Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $69,973 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +3.99% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Orlando, FL earn a median of $73,051 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.99% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.40% above the Florida state average of $69,973.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orlando has a cost of living 1.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Orlando, FL has a cost-of-living index of 101.418 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,051 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,030 — a 1.4% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,370
2025 BLS Actual
$71,110
2026 Current Est.
$73,051
2019–2027 Growth
+2.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Orlando (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,051 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orlando metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -3.1% from $73,370 (2019) to $71,110 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,676 (2.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orlando 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) | $61,474 – $64,586 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,586 – $73,051 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,051 – $77,674 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,674 – $82,780 |
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 Orlando
In the Orlando area, there are approximately 930 physical therapist assistants employed, contributing to a localized job market that is relatively strong. The cost of living index stands at 101.418, which exceeds the national average, indicating a need for competitive salaries to maintain purchasing power. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest physical therapist assistant pay in Orlando, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital settings. Factors driving the disparity in wages include varying expectations for productivity across different environments, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursements for PTA services, and supervision requirements under Medicare rules. For those looking to increase their earnings in this market, considering outpatient therapy settings, optimizing patient load, and remaining informed about changes in Medicare policy can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Orlando, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Orlando, FL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Orlando?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Orlando?
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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 $71,110 for physical therapist assistantsin the Orlando 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