Physical Therapist Salary in Waco, TX: $102,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Waco, TX earns a median $102,860/year (≈ $49.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $111,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, TX, the projected median annual physical therapist salary in 2026 is $102,860, slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary spectrum ranges from approximately $77,993 at the 10th percentile to $134,284 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive environment driven partly by the growing cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialist trend. This upward movement in top-end pay illustrates the evolving market in Waco, where private practices and outpatient clinics may offer lucrative opportunities for therapists specializing in this high-demand segment. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures provide crucial insight into the compensation expectations for physical therapists in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,993 | $37.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,212 | $40.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,860 | $49.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,852 | $60.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,284 | $64.56 |
Median Salary Position
2.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,291 (2026 est.). At $102,860, the local median is 2.31% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Waco median: $102,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,145 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.31% less |
Physical Therapists in Waco, TX earn a median of $102,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.31% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.00% below the Texas state average of $107,145.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,120
2025 BLS Actual
$100,390
2026 Current Est.
$102,860
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,390 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 11.4% from $90,120 (2019) to $100,390 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,390 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,270 (16.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $77,993 – $84,212 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,212 – $102,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,860 – $125,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,852 – $134,284 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Waco
The local job market for physical therapists in Waco is robust, supporting approximately 250 professionals in the field. The cost of living index at 92.55 indicates that while salaries may be slightly lower compared to the national average, the effective purchasing power can be favorable for residents. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like Athletico, generally offer competitive salaries, yet hospital systems often provide higher pay due to their broader insurance coverage and resources. Variations in earnings can be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, board certification stipends, and whether therapists work in cash-pay models or traditional insurance practices. As competition grows, **strategies for maximizing physical therapist pay in Waco TX** may include pursuing board specialization, focusing on high-demand areas within physical therapy, or even considering roles in travel PT, which can command a premium.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $100,390 for physical therapistsin the Waco 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