Physical Therapist Salary in Temple, TX: $99,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Temple, TX earns a median $99,709/year (≈ $47.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Temple's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $103,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Temple, Texas can expect a median annual salary of $99,709, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, marking a difference of about 5.30%. The projected salary range for local professionals varies significantly from $77,893 at the 10th percentile to $132,157 at the 90th percentile, painting a clear picture of the disparities based on experience, specialization, and practice settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. As Temple continues to grow and attract more healthcare professionals, understanding the local compensation landscape will be crucial for both current and aspiring physical therapists in navigating their career paths effectively.
About the Temple Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,893 | $37.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,138 | $40.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,709 | $47.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,620 | $57.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,157 | $63.54 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temple
In Temple, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,264 (2026 est.). At $99,709, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temple: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temple Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Temple median: $99,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temple Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,099 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.30% less |
Physical Therapists in Temple, TX earn a median of $99,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.90% below the Texas state average of $107,099.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temple 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.
Temple, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,709 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,864 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,701
2025 BLS Actual
$97,315
2026 Current Est.
$99,709
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Temple (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,701 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,261 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,315 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temple metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,701 (2019) to $97,315 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,461 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temple 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) | $77,893 – $85,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,138 – $99,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,709 – $118,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,620 – $132,157 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Temple
With just 14 physical therapists employed in the area, the local job market in Temple remains relatively small, but it nonetheless offers a viable entry point for new graduates and seasoned practitioners alike. Given the cost-of-living index of 96, which is slightly below the national average, physical therapist pay in Temple, TX allows for reasonable purchasing power when framed against local expenses. Employers that tend to pay the highest salaries include outpatient orthopedic clinics, specifically chains like ATI and Athletico, as well as hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities. The disparity in salaries here can be attributed to varying productivity expectations, including the number of visits a therapist is expected to manage per day, board certifications like OCS and SCS that can carry stipends, and whether the practice model is cash-pay or insurance-based. Aspiring physical therapists should consider obtaining additional certifications, looking for opportunities in high-paying settings, and understanding local demand to maximize their earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Temple, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Temple, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Temple?
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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 $97,315 for physical therapistsin the Temple 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 Temple 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