Physical Therapist Pay

Dallas vs Garland: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Dallas, TX and Garland, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$110,431
$53.09/hr
Garland, TX
$111,351
$53.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXGarland, TX
Median Salary$110,431$111,351
Hourly Rate$53.09$53.54
Entry Level (P10)$79,181$77,267
25th Percentile$90,421$88,500
75th Percentile$130,811$131,416
Top Earner (P90)$148,301$158,672
Total Employed6,10043
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($110,431) and Garland ($111,351) physical therapist salaries.DallasGarlandMedian Salary$110,431$111,351Entry Level (P10)$79,181$77,267Top Earner (P90)$148,301$158,672US Median $105,288

Verdict

Garland, TX offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dallas.

The salary gap between Dallas and Garland is $920 (0.83%). Garland's median is +5.76% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $69,120,Garland spans $81,405. Garland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$79,181
P25$90,421
Median$110,431
P75$130,811
P90 (Top)$148,301
Garland
P10 (Entry)$77,267
P25$88,500
Median$111,351
P75$131,416
P90 (Top)$158,672

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Garland ($115,991 effective) pays 8.28% more than Dallas ($107,121 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $110,431
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $107,121
Garland
Nominal: $111,351
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $115,991

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Larger job market (6,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Garland if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,351/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($158,672)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,991)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Dallas grew 18.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.9% growth in Garland over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+18.1%

$91,230 (2019) → $107,780 (2025)

Garland, TX

+8.9%

$99,762 (2024) → $108,678 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Dallas or Garland?

Garland has a higher median physical therapist salary at $111,351/year, compared to Dallas at $110,431/year — a difference of $920 (0.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Garland?

Dallas physical therapists earn $53.09/hr while Garland hygienists earn $53.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Garland as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Garland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $107,121, Garland = $115,991), job availability (6,100 vs 43 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Dallas vs Garland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $79,181 in Dallas and $77,267 in Garland. The Dallas 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