Back to the national Physical Therapist Assistant profile

Physical Therapist Assistant in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Florida employs 9,870 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $72,530 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Florida (May 2025)

Florida median pay: $72,530 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $58,650
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,420
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,080
Employed in Florida: 9,870
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Florida markets:

Miami–Fort Lauderdale: $72,530 (3,420 employed)
Orlando: $71,110 (930 employed)
Fort Myers: $71,100 (280 employed)
Tampa Bay: $70,170 (1,340 employed)
Sarasota–Bradenton: $69,380 (450 employed)
Jacksonville: $67,460 (750 employed)
Pensacola: $65,220 (220 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Florida

Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $72,530 median is worth closer to $70,145 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)

Florida is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +19.2%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,789 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Florida License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license — regulated by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).
Pass the NPTE-PTA national exam and the Florida Jurisprudence Exam.
Renew with 24 CE hours every two years.

Official requirements: Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice →

Training in Florida

Florida is one of the strongest PTA markets in the country — outpatient ortho, home health, and skilled nursing all scale with the retiree population. Community college programs across the state are far cheaper than private colleges; clinical placements often turn into job offers.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Florida include:

ATA Career Education — Associate
AdventHealth University — Associate
Ana G. Mendez University — Associate
Broward College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Florida

Real Florida outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Aards II Inc — Aventura
Advance Physical Therapy Network LLC — Aventura
Select Physical Therapy — Aventura
Legacy Healthcare Services Inc — Belleair
Advanced Physical Therapy Asso — Boca Raton
Physical Therapy of Boca Raton — Boca Raton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Florida?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Florida is $72,530 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,650, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,080. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Florida?

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license, overseen by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Florida?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Florida metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Florida metro areas, Miami–Fort Lauderdale leads at $72,530, followed by Orlando ($71,110), Fort Myers ($71,100). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Florida?

Real Florida options include ATA Career Education, AdventHealth University, Ana G. Mendez University. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Florida?

Florida projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +19.2% from 2026 to 2034, with about 1,789 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Florida wages · Florida licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.