Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Texarkana, AR: $74,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Texarkana, AR earns a median $74,936/year (≈ $36.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $86,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in Texarkana, AR, is $74,936 for 2026, which marks a noteworthy increase compared to the national average of $70,247. This salary reflects a range from $56,286 at the 10th percentile to $95,877 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living differences. Following the cuts to Medicare reimbursements, the outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) pay structures have shifted, prompting a redistribution of compensation that aligns better with productivity expectations and diminishing returns in heavily regulated Medicare environments. This evolving financial landscape significantly shapes the job opportunities available, particularly as the market adjusts to the implications of the 15% Medicare cut affecting many local settings.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,286 | $27.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,936 | $36.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,689 | $41.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,877 | $46.09 |
Median Salary Position
6.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, AR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,591 (2026 est.). At $74,936, the local median is 6.68% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Texarkana Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $74,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,993 | +15.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.68% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Texarkana, AR earn a median of $74,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 15.30% above the Arkansas state average of $64,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Texarkana, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $74,936 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,232 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,715
2025 BLS Actual
$72,945
2026 Current Est.
$74,936
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,715 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,945 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,982 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $62,715 (2019) to $72,945 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,982 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,267 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $56,286 – $67,720 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,720 – $74,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,936 – $85,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,689 – $95,877 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Texarkana
In Texarkana, there are currently seven physical therapist assistants employed, a relatively small number that highlights the niche market in this area. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, the local purchasing power for PTA salaries appears favorable, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite influences from regional healthcare dynamics. Among the employers in Texarkana, outpatient orthopedic clinics—both chains and private practices—tend to offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and other sectors, largely due to the differences in reimbursement rates and the expectations set by varying care settings. Factors such as the impact of weekend or PRN roles and associated supervision responsibilities also contribute to the variance in pay. For those seeking to enhance their pay potential in Texarkana, working in outpatient settings or focusing on areas with less Medicare dependency could prove beneficial in light of current market trends.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Texarkana?
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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
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 $72,945 for physical therapist assistantsin the Texarkana metropolitan area. A 2.73% 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
Salary data for Texarkana 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