Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Brownsville, TX: $75,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Brownsville, TX earns a median $75,013/year (≈ $36.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $87,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Brownsville, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,013, reflecting a robust market driven in part by the recent structural shifts following the Medicare cuts. The salary range within this field spans from $49,054 at the 10th percentile to $95,200 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while many professionals earn well, there are opportunities for higher compensation based on experience, setting, and performance. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which show that the local market offers a competitive edge, particularly when compared to the national median salary of $70,247. In Brownsville, unique economic factors influence employment levels and salary distributions, hinting at variations that can significantly impact a physical therapist assistant's career trajectory.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,054 | $23.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,238 | $27.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,013 | $36.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,564 | $38.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,200 | $45.77 |
Median Salary Position
6.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,146 (2026 est.). At $75,013, the local median is 6.78% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be above the median
How Brownsville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $75,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,896 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.78% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $75,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.78% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.70% below the Texas state average of $77,896.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $75,013 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,010
2025 BLS Actual
$73,020
2026 Current Est.
$75,013
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 14.1% from $64,010 (2019) to $73,020 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,051 (20.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $49,054 – $58,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,238 – $75,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,013 – $79,564 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,564 – $95,200 |
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 Brownsville
With 140 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Brownsville, the local job market presents a dynamic outlook. The cost-of-living index stands at 85.975, meaning that while salaries may appear attractive on paper, purchasing power can be impacted by living expenses in the area. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide the highest pay, whereas skilled nursing facilities may lag due to the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts. These disparities can largely be attributed to factors such as the setting of employment, productivity expectations, and the supervisory requirements mandated by state laws and Medicare regulations. For PTAs looking to maximize their earnings in Brownsville, focusing on outpatient clinics and seeking opportunities for additional certifications could yield higher remuneration. Understanding the current dynamics—particularly the Medicare 15% cut's effect on pay structures—can better prepare professionals for strategic career advancement in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Brownsville?
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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 $73,020 for physical therapist assistantsin the Brownsville 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