Physical Therapist Pay

Cedar Park vs Houston: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Cedar Park, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cedar Park, TX
$106,692
$51.29/hr
Houston, TX
$110,349
$53.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Park, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$106,692$110,349
Hourly Rate$51.29$53.05
Entry Level (P10)$77,089$80,175
25th Percentile$86,491$96,753
75th Percentile$128,784$130,780
Top Earner (P90)$144,102$146,077
Total Employed124,680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Park ($106,692) and Houston ($110,349) physical therapist salaries.Cedar ParkHoustonMedian Salary$106,692$110,349Entry Level (P10)$77,089$80,175Top Earner (P90)$144,102$146,077US Median $105,288

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cedar Park.

The salary gap between Cedar Park and Houston is $3,657 (3.43%). Houston's median is +4.81% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cedar Park spans $67,013,Houston spans $65,902. Cedar Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar Park
P10 (Entry)$77,089
P25$86,491
Median$106,692
P75$128,784
P90 (Top)$144,102
Houston
P10 (Entry)$80,175
P25$96,753
Median$110,349
P75$130,780
P90 (Top)$146,077

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,883 effective) pays 0.67% more than Cedar Park ($111,138 effective).

Cedar Park
Nominal: $106,692
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $111,138
Houston
Nominal: $110,349
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,883

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cedar Park if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,349/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,077)
  • Larger job market (4,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,883)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Cedar Park grew 8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.7% growth in Houston over the same period.

Cedar Park, TX

+8.9%

$95,587 (2024) → $104,130 (2025)

Houston, TX

+21.7%

$88,530 (2019) → $107,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Cedar Park or Houston?

Houston has a higher median physical therapist salary at $110,349/year, compared to Cedar Park at $106,692/year — a difference of $3,657 (3.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Park and Houston?

Cedar Park physical therapists earn $51.29/hr while Houston hygienists earn $53.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar Park to Houston as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Park and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Park = $111,138, Houston = $111,883), job availability (12 vs 4,680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Cedar Park vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,089 in Cedar Park and $80,175 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov