Physical Therapist Salary in Austin, TX: $106,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Austin, TX earns a median $106,179/year (≈ $51.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $108,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Austin, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $106,179, slightly surpassing the national median of $105,288. This figure reflects a comprehensive salary range from $84,355 for those at the lower end to $138,649 for high earners. These insights come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a robust job market driven by trends such as an increase in cash-pay arrangements among orthopedic and sports medicine practices. The competitive environment for skilled therapists often elevates top-end compensation, highlighting the potential for significant earnings in the Austin area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,355 | $40.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,468 | $47.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,179 | $51.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,100 | $64.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,649 | $66.66 |
Median Salary Position
0.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,294 (2026 est.). At $106,179, the local median is 0.85% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Austin median: $106,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,144 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.85% more |
Physical Therapists in Austin, TX earn a median of $106,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $107,144.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,179 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,273 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,260
2025 BLS Actual
$103,630
2026 Current Est.
$106,179
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,791 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 21.5% from $85,260 (2019) to $103,630 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,791 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,531 (27.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,355 – $99,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,468 – $106,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,179 – $134,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,100 – $138,649 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Austin
The local job market is robust, with approximately 2,470 physical therapists employed in Austin. The cost-of-living index at 98.066 suggests a more favorable purchasing power compared to many urban areas, allowing for a greater quality of life with their earnings. Among various healthcare settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, especially those with productivity incentives such as ATI or Athletico. Factors like productivity expectations, board certifications (like OCS or SCS), and practice models significantly affect salary differentials, with cash-pay models often yielding higher compensation. To maximize physical therapist pay in Austin TX, professionals should consider pursuing specialized certifications, aligning with high-paying employers, and focusing on enhancing their productivity metrics.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Austin, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Austin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Austin?
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $103,630 for physical therapistsin the Austin metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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