Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cedar Hill, TX: $54,981 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Cedar Hill, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,981 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Hill's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,272 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,987) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting your career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in Cedar Hill, TX, offers promising financial prospects, with a projected starting physical therapist assistant salary Cedar Hill of around $54,981 in 2026. This entry-level pay may seem lower when compared to the city’s median of $76,987, but it provides a solid foundation for recent graduates to build upon. Over the initial years, many PTAs can realistically expect growth towards the 25th percentile salary of $67,471 within the first three to five years, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled providers in the area. Cedar Hill’s healthcare market is favorable for new grads, making it a promising location to begin your journey in this vital healthcare sector.
About the Cedar Hill Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Hill
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Hill
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Cedar Hill, TX typically start between $54,981 and $67,471 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $42,898 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,987 — 9.59% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Texas of $20,000 represents just 36.38% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($54,981/year) in Cedar Hill. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Hill
- 1Research the Cedar Hill market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $54,981 to $67,471, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Hill, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cedar Hill for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Hill's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Cedar Hill is $42,898 ( 78.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,981, experienced hygienists can earn up to $97,879.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,492
2025 BLS Actual
$53,520
2026 Current Est.
$54,981
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cedar Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,785 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,577 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,098 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,981 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,482 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Hill, TX grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,492 in 2019 to $53,520 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,482. New graduates entering the Cedar Hill job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Hill 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Cedar Hill
When seeking employment in Cedar Hill, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider various employers that typically recruit new graduates. Outpatient clinics often hire the majority of PTA newcomers, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to welcome fresh talent despite facing reimbursement challenges. However, home health agencies generally prefer candidates with some experience. To enhance starting salaries, entry-level PTAs must ensure they hold an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, pass the NPTAE, and obtain their state PTA license. Additionally, pursuing advanced proficiency credentials through APTA can provide a competitive edge. Given recent cuts in Medicare Part B’s reimbursement for PTA services, it’s essential for new hires to understand their roles under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. With realistic salary expectations in the early years post-graduation, new PTAs can tailor their growth strategies to effectively navigate Cedar Hill's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Cedar Hill, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Cedar Hill in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Cedar Hill?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Cedar Hill?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Cedar Hill?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Texas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cedar Hill. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Hill 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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov