Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Denton, TX: $77,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Denton, TX earns a median $77,431/year (≈ $37.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Denton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $80,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Denton, Texas can expect a median annual salary of $77,431, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by 10.23%. The salary range for this profession extends from $54,443 at the 10th percentile to $103,049 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026 and adjusted for the region’s cost of living, which gives Denton PTAs a competitive edge in the job market. The projected growth rate of 2.73% for this occupation suggests steady demand, making it an appealing option for both current students and those considering the PTA-to-DPT career pathway in this vibrant city.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,443 | $26.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,582 | $32.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,431 | $37.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,839 | $44.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,049 | $49.55 |
Median Salary Position
10.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
In Denton, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,606 (2026 est.). At $77,431, the local median is 10.23% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Denton median: $77,431/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,898 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +10.23% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Denton, TX earn a median of $77,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.23% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $77,898.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denton has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $77,431 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,657 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,802
2025 BLS Actual
$75,373
2026 Current Est.
$77,431
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,802 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,882 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,189 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,802 (2019) to $75,373 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,743 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton 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) | $54,443 – $67,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,582 – $77,431 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,431 – $91,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,839 – $103,049 |
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 Denton
Currently, there are 33 physical therapist assistants working in Denton, contributing to the area’s healthcare landscape. The cost of living index for Denton is 96, slightly below the national average, which allows more take-home pay when factoring in local expenses. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, while skilled nursing facilities may provide lower rates due to recent cuts in Medicare reimbursement. Factors driving the pay range include the setting in which PTAs work, productivity expectations, and the supervision requirements imposed by state laws, especially in settings heavily reliant on Medicare. For those looking to maximize their pay in Denton, exploring outpatient settings, understanding market demands, and considering further education to transition into a DPT role may present the best pathways for career advancement.
More salary data for Denton, 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 $75,373 for physical therapist assistantsin the Denton 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 Denton 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