Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Harlingen, TX: $76,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Harlingen, TX earns a median $76,349/year (≈ $36.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Harlingen's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $79,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Harlingen, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $76,349, slightly above the national median of $70,247, representing a 8.69% increase. Salaries in this field span a range from $52,714 at the 10th percentile to $97,064 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse working environments available. Local estimates, grounded in BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the impact of recent changes in the job market, particularly due to the Medicare cuts. The shifting focus from skilled nursing facilities to outpatient care has shaped compensation structures, influencing where PTAs may seek employment for better financial outcomes in Harlingen.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,714 | $25.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,679 | $33.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,349 | $36.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,461 | $41.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,064 | $46.67 |
Median Salary Position
8.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harlingen
In Harlingen, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,350 (2026 est.). At $76,349, the local median is 8.69% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Harlingen: You'd be above the median
How Harlingen Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Harlingen median: $76,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harlingen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,907 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.69% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Harlingen, TX earn a median of $76,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.69% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Texas state average of $77,907.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harlingen 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.
Harlingen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $76,349 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,530 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,897
2025 BLS Actual
$74,320
2026 Current Est.
$76,349
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,646 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harlingen metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $63,897 (2019) to $74,320 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,536 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harlingen 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) | $52,714 – $68,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,679 – $76,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,349 – $86,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,461 – $97,064 |
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 Harlingen
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are 14 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, underscoring a small but steady demand for their services. With a cost-of-living index of 96, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for these salaries allows for reasonable living conditions—especially significant given the recent 15% Medicare cut that has impacted reimbursements in both outpatient and skilled nursing settings. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay among employers in Harlingen, while productivity expectations and supervisory demands can significantly influence salaries. To maximize compensation, PTAs may consider pursuing specialized certifications or advanced education pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT programs, and focusing on settings with better reimbursement rates where they can leverage their skills more effectively.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Harlingen, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Harlingen?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Harlingen?
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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 $74,320 for physical therapist assistantsin the Harlingen 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 Harlingen 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