Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Daytona Beach, FL: $89,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Daytona Beach, FL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $89,686/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Daytona Beach's price premium (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $88,974 in average-cost America. The 33% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an experienced physical therapist assistant in Daytona Beach, Florida, can expect to see significant earning potential, with the top earners earning as much as $89,686 annually. This figure reflects the highest tier of compensation for those in the field, showing a pronounced gap between the median annual salary of $67,189. Achieving the top physical therapist assistant salary in Daytona Beach necessitates advanced skills, potentially through specialization in areas such as orthopedic or geriatric rehabilitation, along with several years of on-the-job experience. Comparatively, this level of compensation remains slightly behind the national top range, yet it showcases the market's capacity for rewarding expert-level practitioners in this competitive area.
About the Daytona Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daytona Beach
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Daytona Beach earn between $78,802 and $89,686 per year (2026 est.). This $41,740 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Daytona Beach median of $67,189 sits 4.35% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Daytona Beach | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $67,189 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,802 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $89,686 | $91,954 |
In Daytona Beach, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 33.48% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Daytona Beach
Advanced Certifications in Florida
FL physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $67,189 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Daytona Beach employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Daytona Beach command premium compensation, often reaching the $78,802–$89,686 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Daytona Beach metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Daytona Beach with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Florida who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Daytona Beach
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedDaytona Beach ranks #41 of 87 Florida cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $89,686).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Daytona Beach ($89,686) is 6.04% above the Florida average P90 ($84,575).
2019 BLS Actual
$78,847
2025 BLS Actual
$87,303
2026 Current Est.
$89,686
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Daytona Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,193 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,129 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,135 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Daytona Beach saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $78,847 in 2019 to $87,303 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $92,135 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daytona Beach 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Daytona Beach
A closer analysis reveals that specialties can yield higher salaries in Daytona Beach, with orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation roles often commanding the most competitive rates. Senior physical therapist assistants in diverse environments, including outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, can experience varying remuneration, driven by factors such as employer type and patient demographics. Pathways for advancement within the profession include roles like lead PTA or regional clinical educators, alongside opportunities to bridge into Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Pursuing advanced credentials, such as the APTA's proficiency certifications, can further elevate pay scales in Florida. However, compensation can be affected by external economic factors, such as the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates for PTA services implemented in 2022, particularly impacting positions in skilled nursing facilities and other settings heavily reliant on Medicare reimbursements.
More salary data for Daytona Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Daytona Beach in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Daytona Beach?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Daytona Beach?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Daytona Beach?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Daytona Beach?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $87,303 for physical therapist assistants in the Daytona Beach metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Daytona Beach 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