2024 Data

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Orlando, FL: $60,287 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $28.98/hour | $37,909 - $87,767 range

Median Annual Salary

$60,287

6.5% vs national

Hourly Rate

$28.98

/hour

Jobs in Area

135

employed

Salary Range$37,909 - $87,767
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Orlando, FL

$60,287

San Jose, CA

$89,794

$29,507 more (+48.9%)

in San Jose, CA

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range in Orlando, FL

Annual Salary Range

$60k

$38k

10th percentile

$50k

25th

$71k

75th

$88k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$37,909$18.23
25th Percentile$50,070$24.07
Median (50th Percentile)$60,287$28.98
75th Percentile$71,245$34.25
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$87,767$42.20
Average (Mean)$65,447$31.46

Physical Therapist Assistant Market Insights for Orlando, FL

Compensation Overview

Physical Therapist Assistant compensation in Orlando, FL aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $37,909 to $87,767 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Orlando, FL offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Florida economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Physical Therapist Assistant profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 132% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 46% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-7%

vs National Avg

-9%

vs State Avg

132%

Salary Range

135

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Physical Therapist Assistant salary growth in Orlando, FL based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$37,909

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$50,070

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$60,287

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$71,245

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$87,767

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Physical Therapist Assistant:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Orlando, FL

Where Physical Therapist Assistants Work

Physical Therapist Assistants work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Orlando, FL compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Orlando, FL

  • Research major employers in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Florida
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Orlando, FL market rate of $60,287
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $37,909 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median physical therapist assistant salary in Orlando, FL is $60,287 per year ($28.98/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $37,909 for entry-level positions to $87,767 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Orlando, FL typically start at around $37,909 per year ($18.23/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $60,287 within 3-5 years.

Physical Therapist Assistants in Orlando, FL earn a median hourly wage of $28.98 per hour. Hourly rates range from $18.23/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $42.20/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $37,909 and $87,767.

The median physical therapist assistant salary of $60,287 in Orlando, FL is slightly below the national median of $64,480 (6.5% lower). The cost of living is also 0% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of physical therapist assistants in the area earn more and half earn less.

Physical Therapist Assistants in Orlando, FL earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $60,287 is 6.5% lower than the national median of $64,480. The cost of living is also 0% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $60,408.

The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Orlando, FL earn $87,767 or more per year ($42.20/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $71,245, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost physical therapist assistant salary in Orlando, FL include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $60,287, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($71,245) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Orlando, FL has a specialized job market for physical therapist assistants, with approximately 135 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $60,287 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 0% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your physical therapist assistant salary to these Orlando, FL benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $37,909, 25th percentile: $50,070, 50th percentile (median): $60,287, 75th percentile: $71,245, 90th percentile (top earners): $87,767. If you earn more than $60,287, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $60,287 median base salary, physical therapist assistants in Orlando, FL typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced physical therapist assistants with 5-10 years in Orlando, FL typically earn $71,245 (75th percentile) to $87,767 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $87,767. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $60,287.

Physical Therapist Assistants in Orlando, FL can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($37,909) to median ($60,287) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($87,767) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $49,858 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

31-2021

SOC Classification

Sample Size

135

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Physical Therapist Assistant in Orlando, FL

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Median: $60,287/yr

How Orlando, FL Compares

vs National Average

$64,480

-6.5%

vs Florida Average

$66,419

-9.2%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$60,408

+0.2%

Cost of living in Orlando, FL is 0.2% below the national average.

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