Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Port Arthur, TX: $57.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Port Arthur, TX runs $57.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,167 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Port Arthur's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,505 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Port Arthur, TX, physical therapists command a median hourly pay of $57.30, significantly above the national hourly median of $50.62. This hourly rate is particularly advantageous for part-time professionals, typically working three days a week, as it can lead to a respectable income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Per-diem work further improves potential earnings, especially in diverse settings like outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and sports performance centers, where therapists can earn an hourly range from $43.02 to $73.77 depending on experience and credentials. For physical therapists just entering the field, the hourly pay reflects the starting tier of $43.02, while seasoned professionals at the top of the pay scale can earn as much as $73.77, reflecting their depth of experience and specialized skills, especially in settings demanding higher expertise.
For those considering part-time positions in Port Arthur, working just three days a week would yield an annual income of about $72,288 based on a 24-hour work week. This figure starkly contrasts with full-time roles, which offer additional benefits that can be critical for financial stability, such as health insurance and retirement plans. Per diem physical therapists, who might charge between $50 and $75 per hour, often find lucrative opportunities in travel contracts, netting around $1,800 to $2,800 per week. Although these rates can be appealing, different employer types—like outpatient clinics, home health agencies, and sports medicine facilities—often provide varying pay and benefits structures. Generally, private practice settings might offer lower hourly rates compared to hospitals, but some professionals prefer the latter for comprehensive benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in Port Arthur can depend heavily on these factors; understanding local trends, productivity models established by agencies like APTA, and emphasizing specializations could help in securing favorable terms in this evolving industry.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.02 | $344.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.62 | $380.99 |
| Median (P50) | $57.30 | $458.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.86 | $534.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.77 | $590.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Arthur
Based on $57.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.30/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Arthur, TX can expect to earn approximately $119,175 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,755. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Arthur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Arthur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,291.83 | $9,931 | $119,175 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,375.10 | $5,959 | $71,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $916.73 | $3,972 | $47,670 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Port Arthur) | $57.30 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $119,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.18% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 11.20% above the Texas state average of $107,165.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.30/hr = $71,505/year (purchasing power: $74,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,175/year (purchasing power: $124,141).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Port Arthur grew 14.9% from $48.67/hr (2019) to $55.92/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
More salary data for Port Arthur, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Port Arthur in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Port Arthur?
Are physical therapists in Port Arthur paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Port Arthur?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Port Arthur?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Port Arthur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Port Arthur 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov