Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Richardson, TX: $37.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Richardson, TX runs $37.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,834 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Richardson's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,296 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant in Richardson, Texas, is projected at $37.90, which is significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This elevated hourly rate offers a compelling incentive for part-time workers, such as those who may work three days a week or as per-diem professionals. In typical settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, entry-level salaries can start around $24.74, while experienced practitioners may earn as much as $49.27 per hour. It's essential to understand that these hourly figures are derived from estimates based on annual salaries, and they reflect the growing demand for qualified personnel in the physical therapy sector.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.74 | $197.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.88 | $271.04 |
| Median (P50) | $37.90 | $303.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.54 | $348.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.27 | $394.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richardson
Based on $37.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.90/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richardson, TX can expect to earn approximately $78,826 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,477. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richardson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richardson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,515.88 | $6,569 | $78,826 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $909.53 | $3,941 | $47,296 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $606.35 | $2,628 | $31,530 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Richardson) | $37.90 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Richardson, TX earn a median of $78,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.22% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $77,899.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.90/hr = $47,296/year (purchasing power: $49,266).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,826/year (purchasing power: $82,110).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Richardson grew 16.3% from $31.72/hr (2019) to $36.89/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Richardson
For professionals considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week translates to an annual income of approximately $47,000, compared to those who opt for full-time positions. Per-diem physical therapist assistants in Richardson often see pay ranging from $32 to $48 an hour, with travel contracts offering even more enticing weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800. However, evolving Medicare policies have impacted compensation, particularly in skilled nursing facilities where agency PTAs might face reduced rates due to reimbursement cuts implemented in 2022. The choice of employer type in Richardson can further influence hourly pay, with outpatient clinics generally offering more competitive wages than hospital inpatient rehab programs. Many PTAs are faced with trade-offs concerning benefits; those seeking stable positions may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance. Negotiation is key, and physical therapist assistants should be well-informed about their worth in the local market to advocate effectively for their pay.
More salary data for Richardson, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Richardson in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Richardson?
Are physical therapist assistants in Richardson paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Richardson?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Richardson?
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Richardson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richardson 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