Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pensacola, FL: $67,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Pensacola, FL earns a median $67,001/year (≈ $32.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Pensacola's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.7), that paycheck buys what $68,566 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual compensation for physical therapist assistants in Pensacola, Florida, is $67,001 for 2026, which reflects a trend slightly lagging the national median of $70,247. The salary range spans from $58,320 at the 10th percentile to $85,615 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse outlook for prospective PTAs. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this information highlights the potential for growth within the profession, particularly as many PTAs consider bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to enhance their earning potential over time. In the context of Pensacola's job market, the steady demand for physical therapist assistants suggests an encouraging pathway for those entering this healthcare field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,035 | $30.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,001 | $32.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,167 | $37.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,615 | $41.16 |
Median Salary Position
4.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pensacola
In Pensacola, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,295 (2026 est.). At $67,001, the local median is 4.62% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Pensacola: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pensacola Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Pensacola median: $67,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pensacola Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,011 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.62% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Pensacola, FL earn a median of $67,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.30% below the Florida state average of $70,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pensacola has a cost of living 2.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pensacola, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.717 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,566 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,700
2025 BLS Actual
$65,220
2026 Current Est.
$67,001
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pensacola (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pensacola metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.0% from $57,700 (2019) to $65,220 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,130 (19.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pensacola 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) | $58,320 – $63,035 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,035 – $67,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,001 – $78,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,167 – $85,615 |
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 Pensacola
Within the local employment sector, there are approximately 220 physical therapist assistants in Pensacola, which indicates a healthy job market for those trained in this area. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.717, slightly below the national average, affecting purchasing power positively for those earning salaries in this range. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically compensate the highest among local employers, followed by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Factors influencing the disparity in compensation include the setting—hospital environments generally offer better pay than outpatient clinics—along with productivity expectations and the recent Medicare cuts which have pressured PTA pay in certain healthcare environments. For aspiring PTAs aiming to maximize their salaries, targeting employment in outpatient clinics or considering PRN (as needed) positions, which often come with weekend premiums, could be strategic moves in the Pensacola FL market.
More salary data for Pensacola, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Pensacola, FL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Pensacola?
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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 $65,220 for physical therapist assistantsin the Pensacola 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