Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Sugar Land, TX: $51.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Sugar Land, TX runs $51.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,843 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Sugar Land's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,101 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sugar Land, TX, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $51.36, slightly surpassing the national median of $50.62. This competitive hourly pay provides a favorable environment for both full-time and part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week or as per-diem providers. In typical settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, hourly wages can significantly vary. Entry-level positions may start around $38.98 per hour, while top earners in the field can reach up to $68.97 per hour, offering a strong incentive for those entering the profession or seeking to advance their careers.
About the Sugar Land 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) | $38.98 | $311.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.15 | $345.17 |
| Median (P50) | $51.36 | $410.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.44 | $491.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.97 | $551.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sugar Land
Based on $51.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.36/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sugar Land, TX can expect to earn approximately $106,835 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,636. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sugar Land.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sugar Land
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,054.53 | $8,903 | $106,835 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,232.72 | $5,342 | $64,101 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $821.81 | $3,561 | $42,734 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Sugar Land) | $51.36 |
| 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 Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $106,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $107,165.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.36/hr = $64,101/year (purchasing power: $66,772).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,835/year (purchasing power: $111,287).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Sugar Land (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Sugar Land grew 14.9% from $43.63/hr (2019) to $50.13/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.63/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 Sugar Land 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Sugar Land
For those considering part-time work, a physical therapist scheduled for three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could expect a take-home income that stands in contrast to a full-time salary, emphasizing a manageable work-life balance while still providing substantial earnings. Per-diem physical therapists typically earn between $50 and $75 per hour, with travel contracts yielding up to $2,800 weekly, plus stipends. Various employer types in Sugar Land showcase differing pay structures; while outpatient clinics might offer less than hospital systems, they often provide incentives tied to productivity. Therapists have to weigh the benefits of stable jobs with health insurance against more lucrative opportunities that lack benefits. Negotiation is essential; understanding local pay standards and articulating value can lead to better rates in a market that is increasingly recognizing the impact of specialized skills in settings such as sports clinics or cash-pay practices.
More salary data for Sugar Land, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Sugar Land. 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 Sugar Land 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