Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cedar Park, TX: $51,961 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Cedar Park, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,961 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Park's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,126 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,534) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Cedar Park, TX, is expected to start at around $51,961. For newly graduated PTAs, this represents a realistic first-year pay, albeit significantly below the city’s median salary of $77,534. The journey through early career can lead to an expected salary increase, with the potential to reach around $65,673 by the 25th percentile within a few years. Cedar Park currently presents a favorable job market for new graduates, typically characterized by a healthy demand for physical therapy services which aligns well with the national growth projection of 2.73% in this field.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Park
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 Park
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Cedar Park, TX typically start between $51,961 and $65,673 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,287 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,534 — 10.37% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Texas of $20,000 represents just 38.49% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($51,961/year) in Cedar Park. 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 Park
- 1Research the Cedar Park market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $51,961 to $65,673, 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 Park, 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 Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Park'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 Park is $52,287 ( 100.63%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,961, experienced hygienists can earn up to $104,248.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,432
2025 BLS Actual
$50,580
2026 Current Est.
$51,961
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,432 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,846 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,489 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,606 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,961 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,379 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Park, TX grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,432 in 2019 to $50,580 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,379. New graduates entering the Cedar Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park 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 Park
Employers in Cedar Park who actively seek to hire new graduates primarily include outpatient physical therapy centers that often serve as the first stepping stone for many PTAs. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) also hire entry-level professionals, despite facing challenges owing to the reimbursement cuts from Medicare, which reduced part B reimbursements for PTA services by 15% in 2022. While home health agencies usually prefer candidates with a couple of years of clinical experience, earning your Associate’s degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, passing the NPTAE exam, and obtaining the necessary state license are crucial for competitive starting pay. Enhancing qualifications with credentials like advanced proficiency through the APTA can significantly benefit earnings. Realistically, in the first three years, new PTAs in Cedar Park can aim for gradual salary increases, especially as they gain experience while working under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, which is mandated by state regulations.
More salary data for Cedar Park, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Cedar Park in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Cedar Park?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Cedar Park?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Cedar Park?
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 Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Park 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