Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $74,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $74,582/year (≈ $35.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $74,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Palm Bay, FL, is expected to reach $74,582, a figure that reflects a competitive position when compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary range illustrates a clear spectrum of compensation, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $63,436 (P10) and experienced professionals earning up to $85,954 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data projected to 2026, signify a local market responding to changes following the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut, impacting settings heavily reliant on Medicare patients, particularly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). As the job market adapts, the employment landscape for physical therapist assistants in Palm Bay remains robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,436 | $30.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,141 | $31.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,582 | $35.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,065 | $37.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,954 | $41.33 |
Median Salary Position
6.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,518 (2026 est.). At $74,582, the local median is 6.17% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $74,582/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $69,964 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.17% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $74,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.17% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.60% above the Florida state average of $69,964.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,582 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,578 — a 0.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,450
2025 BLS Actual
$72,600
2026 Current Est.
$74,582
2019–2027 Growth
+15.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,618 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 9.3% from $66,450 (2019) to $72,600 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,168 (15.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $63,436 – $65,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,141 – $74,582 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,582 – $78,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,065 – $85,954 |
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 Palm Bay
Approximately 320 physical therapist assistants are currently employed within the Palm Bay region, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index at 100.005, just above the national average, the purchasing power of salaries in this area remains an important consideration for prospective PTAs. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, with alternatives such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies providing varied pay based on productivity and reimbursement structures affected by Medicare cuts. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to numerous factors, including the setting of employment, local compliance with PT supervision regulations, as well as weekend and PRN opportunities that might attract higher hourly rates. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Palm Bay, pursuing specialized training, considering outpatient settings, and being open to weekend shifts could enhance salary prospects significantly.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Palm Bay?
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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 $72,600 for physical therapist assistantsin the Palm Bay 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