Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Galveston, TX: $78,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Galveston, TX earns a median $78,112/year (≈ $37.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $81,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Galveston, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,112, which exceeds the national median of $70,247 by over 11%. The salary range for PTAs in this area spans from $53,281 at the 10th percentile to $101,242 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying demand for services across different healthcare settings. Recent shifts in the healthcare landscape, particularly after the 15% Medicare cut, have influenced compensation structures, creating a structural divide between outpatient facilities and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). These changes reflect a market in adaptation, where outpatient clinics have seen more favorable pay scales compared to their SNF counterparts.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,281 | $25.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,860 | $32.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,112 | $37.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,799 | $43.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,242 | $48.67 |
Median Salary Position
11.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,961 (2026 est.). At $78,112, the local median is 11.2% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be above the median
How Galveston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Galveston median: $78,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,878 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +11.20% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Galveston, TX earn a median of $78,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.20% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $77,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $78,112 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,367 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,372
2025 BLS Actual
$76,036
2026 Current Est.
$78,112
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,372 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,462 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,798 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,335 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,036 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $65,372 (2019) to $76,036 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,872 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $53,281 – $66,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,860 – $78,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,112 – $89,799 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,799 – $101,242 |
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 Galveston
With only ten physical therapist assistants employed locally, job opportunities in Galveston are limited but demonstrate stability in this field. The cost-of-living index stands at 96, indicating that living expenses in the area are below average, which positively impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries among local employers, followed by home health agencies and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors like productivity expectations in outpatient settings and differing supervision requirements, especially given the impact of the Medicare cuts on SNF and outpatient settings. To maximize earnings in Galveston, PTAs should seek opportunities in high-demand areas, stay informed about the evolving reimbursement landscape, and consider pathways to transition from PTA to DPT for enhanced career prospects.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 $76,036 for physical therapist assistantsin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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