Physical Therapist Salary in Orlando, FL: $104,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Orlando, FL earns a median $104,028/year (≈ $50.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Orlando's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.4), that paycheck buys what $102,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual compensation for physical therapists in Orlando, Florida, reaches approximately $104,028, slightly below the national average of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in the region shows an income spectrum from $80,206 at the lower tenth percentile to $122,911 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the financial realities of local practitioners. With productivity expectations increasingly shaping pay structures—particularly in outpatient settings where therapists are often assessed by visits-per-day metrics—many will find that maximizing patient interactions can significantly influence their overall earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,206 | $38.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,913 | $41.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,028 | $50.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,989 | $53.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,911 | $59.09 |
Median Salary Position
1.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orlando
In Orlando, FL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,705 (2026 est.). At $104,028, the local median is 1.2% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Orlando: You'd be above the median
How Orlando Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Orlando median: $104,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orlando Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,591 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.20% less |
Physical Therapists in Orlando, FL earn a median of $104,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.20% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.40% above the Florida state average of $102,591.
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 $104,028 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,574 — a 1.4% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,870
2025 BLS Actual
$101,530
2026 Current Est.
$104,028
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Orlando (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,587 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orlando metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 10.5% from $91,870 (2019) to $101,530 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,587 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,717 (16.02%) 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 2.46% 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) | $80,206 – $85,913 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,913 – $104,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,028 – $111,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,989 – $122,911 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Orlando
The job market for physical therapists in Orlando is robust, with around 1,560 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost-of-living index of 101.418 suggests that take-home purchasing power may be influenced by rising living expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide competitive salaries but may come with heavy productivity demands, while hospitals and skilled nursing facilities may offer more stability. Factors like specialized board certifications (OCS, SCS), ownership equity opportunities, and practice models (insurance vs. cash-pay) contribute to wage disparities in this field. For those seeking to enhance their earning potential, focusing on acquiring advanced certifications and pursuing employment within specialized rehabilitation clinics or travel PT agencies may yield better financial outcomes in Orlando's evolving physical therapy market.
More salary data for Orlando, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex 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 $101,530 for physical therapistsin the Orlando metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov