Physical Therapist Salary in Killeen, TX: $100,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Killeen, TX earns a median $100,534/year (≈ $48.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $110,317 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Killeen, Texas, the anticipated median annual salary for physical therapists in 2026 is projected at $100,534, which reflects a slight decrease of 4.52% compared to the national median of $105,288. This figure, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights a varied salary range for the occupation, with entry-level positions earning around $80,277 (P10) and experienced professionals reaching up to $127,819 (P90). The compensation landscape is shaped by productivity pressures, as many facilities expect therapists to meet specific visits-per-day metrics. The local job market for physical therapists is robust, with 370 professionals currently employed in the Killeen area, indicating a substantial demand for rehabilitation services tied to the community's diverse healthcare needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,277 | $38.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,831 | $41.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,534 | $48.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,884 | $57.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,819 | $61.46 |
Median Salary Position
4.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,542 (2026 est.). At $100,534, the local median is 4.52% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Killeen Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Killeen median: $100,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,179 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.52% less |
Physical Therapists in Killeen, TX earn a median of $100,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.20% below the Texas state average of $107,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,534 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,317 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,810
2025 BLS Actual
$98,120
2026 Current Est.
$100,534
2019–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 9.3% from $89,810 (2019) to $98,120 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,197 (14.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $80,277 – $85,831 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,831 – $100,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,534 – $118,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,884 – $127,819 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Killeen
Contextual factors significantly influence the effective physical therapist pay in Killeen, TX. With a cost-of-living index of 91.132, living expenses are relatively lower compared to national averages, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries in the area. Among the local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those under the ATI and Athletico brands, often provide competitive pay structures, albeit with high productivity expectations. Factors contributing to pay variation include clinical specialty certifications, such as the OCS or SCS, cash-pay versus insurance models, and the practice's focus on either scheduled outpatient visits or more intense inpatient rehab settings. To optimize earnings, aspiring physical therapists should consider obtaining board specializations, exploring opportunities in higher-paying facilities, and potentially entering travel PT roles, which can leverage premiums from short-term contracts to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Killeen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Killeen, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Killeen?
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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 $98,120 for physical therapistsin the Killeen 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