Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Corpus Christi, TX: $75,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Corpus Christi, TX earns a median $75,938/year (≈ $36.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Corpus Christi's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $81,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for physical therapist assistants in Corpus Christi is positioned at $75,938 annually, slightly above the national median of $70,247. This reflects a positive shift in compensation amidst recent industry changes, particularly in the aftermath of the Medicare cuts that have impacted reimbursement rates. The salary range for this role showcases the variance in pay, spanning from $52,248 at the 10th percentile to $100,655 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, indicates a robust market for physical therapist assistants in Corpus Christi, TX, as demand continues to adapt to evolving healthcare needs, specifically in outpatient settings which have remained more financially stable compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,248 | $25.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,278 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,938 | $36.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,116 | $39.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,655 | $48.39 |
Median Salary Position
8.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,407 (2026 est.). At $75,938, the local median is 8.1% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corpus Christi: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Corpus Christi Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Corpus Christi median: $75,938/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corpus Christi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,885 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.10% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $75,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.10% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.50% below the Texas state average of $77,885.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corpus Christi has a cost of living 7.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corpus Christi, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.671 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $75,938 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,944 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,360
2025 BLS Actual
$73,920
2026 Current Est.
$75,938
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.1% from $65,360 (2019) to $73,920 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,651 (19.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corpus Christi 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) | $52,248 – $61,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,278 – $75,938 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,938 – $81,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,116 – $100,655 |
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 Corpus Christi
Looking closer at the local job market, there are approximately 200 physical therapist assistants engaged in various settings throughout Corpus Christi. The cost of living index stands at 92.671, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power remains favorable compared to the national average. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the most competitive pay, as these environments typically prioritize higher productivity expectations and have fewer constraints than SNFs post-Medicare cuts. The disparity in pay within Corpus Christi can be influenced by factors such as the setting’s reimbursement structure and requirements for supervision. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring PTAs may consider targeting outpatient facilities, seeking additional credentials, or even pursuing PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, all of which can enhance both pay and job flexibility in a strategy that addresses the current dynamics of physical therapist assistant pay in Corpus Christi, TX.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, 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 $73,920 for physical therapist assistantsin the Corpus Christi 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