Physical Therapist Salary in San Marcos, TX: $108,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in San Marcos, TX earns a median $108,656/year (≈ $52.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in San Marcos's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $113,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in San Marcos, TX, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $108,656, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $81,225 at the 10th percentile to $139,999 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability depending on the specific healthcare settings. Physical therapists employed within outpatient orthopedic clinics may find themselves earning less compared to those in hospital systems or skilled nursing facilities, where compensation structures can often include additional benefits linked to patient care standards and outcomes. This divergence in pay highlights the ongoing trend of employment choices impacting financial outcomes for professionals in San Marcos.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,225 | $39.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,368 | $43.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,656 | $52.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,855 | $60.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,999 | $67.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Marcos
In San Marcos, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,774 (2026 est.). At $108,656, the local median is 3.2% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Marcos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Marcos Physical Therapist Pay Compares
San Marcos median: $108,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Marcos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,156 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.20% more |
Physical Therapists in San Marcos, TX earn a median of $108,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.20% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $107,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Marcos has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Marcos, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $108,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,183 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,301
2025 BLS Actual
$106,047
2026 Current Est.
$108,656
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,301 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,921 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,679 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,846 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Marcos metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $92,301 (2019) to $106,047 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,028 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Marcos 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) | $81,225 – $90,368 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,368 – $108,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,656 – $126,855 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,855 – $139,999 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in San Marcos
As of the latest estimates, the local job market contains around 13 physical therapists, indicating a modest demand that may require practitioners to balance their earnings with the lower cost of living index in San Marcos, sitting at 96. With lower living expenses than the national average, physical therapist pay in San Marcos TX translates into a higher purchasing power for residents. Among area employers, outpatient chains like ATI and Athletico often offer lower base salaries, but they might provide productivity bonuses, making performance more lucrative. In contrast, hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically present better overall compensation and benefits. Maximizing earnings potential may necessitate gaining board certifications like OCS or SCS, which can command higher salaries, as well as considering cash-pay models that sidestep insurance hassles, ultimately leading to greater financial rewards in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in San Marcos, TX in 2026?
Is San Marcos, TX a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in San Marcos?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in San Marcos?
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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 $106,047 for physical therapistsin the San Marcos 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
Salary data for San Marcos 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