Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Melbourne, FL: $76,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Melbourne, FL earns a median $76,304/year (≈ $36.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $75,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Melbourne, Florida, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $76,304, which surpasses the national median of $70,247 by a notable margin of 8.62%. The salary range for this role in Melbourne is broad, with earnings expected to vary from $53,327 at the lower end (P10) to $97,813 at the upper end (P90). This compensation is reflective of regional cost adjustments and labor market demand. As physical therapist assistants consider the potential to bridge to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, it’s evident that investing in higher qualifications can significantly enhance lifetime earning opportunities in this field, underscoring the robust job market in Melbourne for PTAs.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,327 | $25.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,214 | $31.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,304 | $36.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,892 | $41.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,813 | $47.03 |
Median Salary Position
8.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,486 (2026 est.). At $76,304, the local median is 8.62% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be above the median
How Melbourne Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $76,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,003 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.62% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $76,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.62% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 9.00% above the Florida state average of $70,003.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,304 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,698 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,859
2025 BLS Actual
$74,276
2026 Current Est.
$76,304
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,859 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,182 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $63,859 (2019) to $74,276 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,528 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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) | $53,327 – $66,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,214 – $76,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,304 – $86,892 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,892 – $97,813 |
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 Melbourne
To better understand the compensation landscape for physical therapist assistants in Melbourne, one must consider the local job market, which currently employs just 12 PTAs. The cost of living index here stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, impacting overall purchasing power for professionals in this field. Among the various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities might lag due to factors like the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements impacting PTAs working in those environments. The disparity in salaries can also be attributed to differences in productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the specific therapy settings. For those aiming to maximize pay in Melbourne, actively seeking opportunities in high-demand settings, focusing on specialty certifications, and considering bridge pathways to advanced degrees can be effective strategies to improve earnings potential.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
Is Melbourne, FL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Melbourne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Melbourne?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Melbourne?
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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 $74,276 for physical therapist assistantsin the Melbourne 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
Salary data for Melbourne is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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