Physical Therapist Salary in Lubbock, TX: $103,802 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lubbock, TX earns a median $103,802/year (≈ $49.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lubbock's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $113,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the anticipated compensation for physical therapists in Lubbock, Texas, is set at a median annual salary of $103,802, slightly trailing the national median of $105,288. This position commands a salary range that spans from $73,679 at the 10th percentile to $135,278 at the 90th percentile. The numbers are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected forward, reflecting a local job market that requires therapists to maintain high productivity due to relatively lower salaries compared to national averages. As outpatient clinics often prioritize visits-per-day metrics, physical therapists in Lubbock must adapt their strategies to meet these workplace expectations while ensuring quality care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,679 | $35.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,437 | $40.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,802 | $49.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,817 | $57.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,278 | $65.04 |
Median Salary Position
1.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lubbock
In Lubbock, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,599 (2026 est.). At $103,802, the local median is 1.41% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lubbock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lubbock Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lubbock median: $103,802/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lubbock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,123 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.41% less |
Physical Therapists in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $103,802 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.41% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.10% below the Texas state average of $107,123.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lubbock has a cost of living 8.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lubbock, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.317 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,802 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,540
2025 BLS Actual
$101,310
2026 Current Est.
$103,802
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,802 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,356 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lubbock metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 27.4% from $79,540 (2019) to $101,310 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,816 (33.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lubbock 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) | $73,679 – $84,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,437 – $103,802 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,802 – $119,817 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,817 – $135,278 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lubbock
The Lubbock job market currently employs around 360 physical therapists, which indicates a stable demand for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index at 91.317, therapists' take-home pay offers significant purchasing power compared to many other regions. While outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico typically provide competitive rates, hospital systems may offer higher pay, especially for specialists with board certifications such as OCS or SCS. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to factors like productivity expectations, clinic ownership equity, and the shift toward cash-pay models versus traditional insurance practices. To optimize earnings in Lubbock, physical therapists should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring positions in higher-paying facilities, and networking within the community to uncover opportunities in emerging niche markets.
More salary data for Lubbock, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Lubbock, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Lubbock?
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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 $101,310 for physical therapistsin the Lubbock 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