Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Amarillo, TX: $74,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Amarillo, TX earns a median $74,736/year (≈ $35.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Amarillo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $81,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amarillo, TX, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in 2026 is estimated at $74,736. This figure positions local earnings approximately 6.39% above the national median of $70,247, reflecting favorable compensation trends within the region. The salary range for PTAs here spans from $49,875 at the 10th percentile to $94,491 at the 90th percentile, offering distinct opportunities for advancement. As a growing profession, many PTAs in Amarillo consider bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to enhance their lifetime earning potential, while the stability and opportunities in the local healthcare market suggest a promising job outlook for these professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,875 | $23.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,864 | $29.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,736 | $35.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,999 | $39.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,491 | $45.43 |
Median Salary Position
6.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amarillo
In Amarillo, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,616 (2026 est.). At $74,736, the local median is 6.39% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Amarillo: You'd be above the median
How Amarillo Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Amarillo median: $74,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amarillo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,850 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.39% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Amarillo, TX earn a median of $74,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.00% below the Texas state average of $77,850.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amarillo has a cost of living 8.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amarillo, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $74,736 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,530
2025 BLS Actual
$72,750
2026 Current Est.
$74,736
2019–2027 Growth
+19.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amarillo metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 12.7% from $64,530 (2019) to $72,750 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,246 (18.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amarillo 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) | $49,875 – $61,864 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,864 – $74,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,736 – $81,999 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,999 – $94,491 |
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 Amarillo
Despite the competitive pay for physical therapist assistants, the local job market comprises around 150 employed PTAs, which indicates a steady demand in the area. The cost-of-living index in Amarillo stands at 91.82, below the national average, indicating that take-home pay may stretch further than in costlier U.S. cities. Among various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities tend to have lower pay structures due to the impacts of the Medicare 15% cut on reimbursement. The disparity in wages can largely be attributed to the setting in which PTAs work, productivity expectations, and the varying levels of supervision required in different environments. To maximize earning potential in Amarillo, PTAs may consider gaining experience in outpatient care or pursuing weekend and PRN shifts, as these often come with additional pay incentives.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $72,750 for physical therapist assistantsin the Amarillo 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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