PT Assistant Salary

Dallas vs Pearland: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Dallas, TX and Pearland, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$82,564
$39.69/hr
Pearland, TX
$77,173
$37.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXPearland, TX
Median Salary$82,564$77,173
Hourly Rate$39.69$37.11
Entry Level (P10)$38,924$53,787
25th Percentile$65,829$67,056
75th Percentile$93,905$89,580
Top Earner (P90)$107,753$101,988
Total Employed2,11019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($82,564) and Pearland ($77,173) physical therapist assistant salaries.DallasPearlandMedian Salary$82,564$77,173Entry Level (P10)$38,924$53,787Top Earner (P90)$107,753$101,988US Median $70,247

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pearland.

The salary gap between Dallas and Pearland is $5,391 (6.99%). Dallas's median is +17.53% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $68,829,Pearland spans $48,201. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$38,924
P25$65,829
Median$82,564
P75$93,905
P90 (Top)$107,753
Pearland
P10 (Entry)$53,787
P25$67,056
Median$77,173
P75$89,580
P90 (Top)$101,988

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pearland ($80,389 effective) pays 0.37% more than Dallas ($80,089 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $82,564
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $80,089
Pearland
Nominal: $77,173
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $80,389

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,564/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,753)
  • Larger job market (2,110 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Pearland if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,389)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Dallas grew 4.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Pearland over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+4.5%

$76,920 (2021) → $80,370 (2025)

Pearland, TX

+9.7%

$68,502 (2024) → $75,122 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Dallas or Pearland?

Dallas has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $82,564/year, compared to Pearland at $77,173/year — a difference of $5,391 (6.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Pearland?

Dallas physical therapist assistants earn $39.69/hr while Pearland hygienists earn $37.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Pearland as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Pearland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $80,089, Pearland = $80,389), job availability (2,110 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Dallas vs Pearland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $38,924 in Dallas and $53,787 in Pearland. The Pearland area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov