Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Sarasota, FL: $72,332 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Sarasota, FL earns a median $72,332/year (≈ $34.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Sarasota's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $71,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, physical therapist assistants in Sarasota, Florida, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $72,332, which is slightly above the national median of $70,247. The local salary range suggests a considerable variance, with earnings expected to fall between $49,301 at the 10th percentile and $91,529 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the changes in the market due to the recent Medicare cuts. The split between outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities has significantly influenced compensation trends in Sarasota’s healthcare landscape, requiring PTAs to adapt to new dynamics and productivity expectations, especially in settings reliant on Medicare.
About the Sarasota Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,301 | $23.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,052 | $29.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,332 | $34.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,655 | $39.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,529 | $44.01 |
Median Salary Position
2.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sarasota
In Sarasota, FL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,228 (2026 est.). At $72,332, the local median is 2.97% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sarasota: You'd be above the median
How Sarasota Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Sarasota median: $72,332/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sarasota Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,021 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +2.97% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Sarasota, FL earn a median of $72,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the Florida state average of $70,021.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sarasota has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sarasota, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,332 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,758 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$60,535
2025 BLS Actual
$70,410
2026 Current Est.
$72,332
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Sarasota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,535 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,544 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,996 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,332 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sarasota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $60,535 (2019) to $70,410 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,772 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sarasota 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) | $49,301 – $62,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,052 – $72,332 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,332 – $81,655 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,655 – $91,529 |
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 Sarasota
Despite having only 10 physical therapist assistants employed in Sarasota, the job market shows resilience and potential growth, with an annual growth rate of 2.73%. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, impacting overall take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities have seen compression in salaries due to the aforementioned Medicare reimbursement cuts. Factors driving the disparity in income include setting differences, productivity demands, and weekend or PRN premiums. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Sarasota, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying outpatient clinics, obtaining relevant certifications, or seeking additional responsibilities under supervision can be advantageous.
More salary data for Sarasota, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Sarasota, FL in 2026?
Is Sarasota, FL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Sarasota?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Sarasota?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Sarasota?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $70,410 for physical therapist assistantsin the Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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