Physical Therapist Pay

Dallas vs The Woodlands: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$110,431
$53.09/hr
The Woodlands, TX
$109,030
$52.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Median Salary$110,431$109,030
Hourly Rate$53.09$52.42
Entry Level (P10)$79,181$82,424
25th Percentile$90,421$91,692
75th Percentile$130,811$130,503
Top Earner (P90)$148,301$146,565
Total Employed6,10021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($110,431) and The Woodlands ($109,030) physical therapist salaries.DallasThe WoodlandsMedian Salary$110,431$109,030Entry Level (P10)$79,181$82,424Top Earner (P90)$148,301$146,565US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and The Woodlands is $1,401 (1.28%). Dallas's median is +4.88% 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,The Woodlands spans $64,141. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$79,181
P25$90,421
Median$110,431
P75$130,811
P90 (Top)$148,301
The Woodlands
P10 (Entry)$82,424
P25$91,692
Median$109,030
P75$130,503
P90 (Top)$146,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, The Woodlands ($113,573 effective) pays 6.02% more than Dallas ($107,121 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $110,431
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $107,121
The Woodlands
Nominal: $109,030
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $113,573

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,431/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,301)
  • Larger job market (6,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Woodlands if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,573)
  • 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 11.1% growth in The Woodlands over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+18.1%

$91,230 (2019) → $107,780 (2025)

The Woodlands, TX

+11.1%

$95,800 (2024) → $106,412 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Dallas or The Woodlands?

Dallas has a higher median physical therapist salary at $110,431/year, compared to The Woodlands at $109,030/year — a difference of $1,401 (1.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and The Woodlands?

Dallas physical therapists earn $53.09/hr while The Woodlands hygienists earn $52.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to The Woodlands as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and The Woodlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $107,121, The Woodlands = $113,573), job availability (6,100 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $79,181 in Dallas and $82,424 in The Woodlands. The The Woodlands area offers higher starting salaries.

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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