Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in McAllen, TX: $74,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in McAllen, TX earns a median $74,500/year (≈ $35.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in McAllen's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $86,734 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In McAllen, Texas, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in 2026 stands at $74,500, which shows a competitive edge compared to the national median of $70,247. In this market, salaries range from $46,362 at the lower end (10th percentile) to up to $103,788 for the highest earners (90th percentile), as per estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. With an annual growth rate forecasted at 2.73%, job seekers in McAllen can expect positive trends in compensation aligned with a robust demand for physical therapist assistants. The ability to effectively manage patient visits per day significantly influences earning potential, and those who excel in optimizing their productivity will find the market is ripe for upward mobility.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,362 | $22.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,713 | $30.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,605 | $42.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,788 | $49.90 |
Median Salary Position
6.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen
In McAllen, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,426 (2026 est.). At $74,500, the local median is 6.05% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McAllen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McAllen Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
McAllen median: $74,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McAllen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,847 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.05% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in McAllen, TX earn a median of $74,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.05% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.30% below the Texas state average of $77,847.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McAllen has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McAllen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.895 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $74,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,734 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.42% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,470
2025 BLS Actual
$72,520
2026 Current Est.
$74,500
2019–2027 Growth
+2.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,534 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McAllen metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -2.6% from $74,470 (2019) to $72,520 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,534 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,064 (2.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen 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) | $46,362 – $63,713 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,713 – $74,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,500 – $88,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,605 – $103,788 |
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 McAllen
Analytically, McAllen's job market employs approximately 410 physical therapist assistants, providing opportunities across various healthcare settings. The cost of living index in the area is at 85.895, which suggests that living expenses are lower than the national average, allowing for better purchasing power for PTAs. Compensation varies based on the type of employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offering higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and home health agencies. Key distinctions in salaries stem from factors such as productivity expectations, the demands of clinical settings, and the ongoing impact of the Medicare 15% cut to reimbursements for PTA services in heavily reliant fields. To maximize pay, aspiring physical therapist assistants in McAllen should focus on building skills and experience in high-demand settings, consider pursuing advanced qualifications like transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT), and remain adaptable to changes in healthcare regulations affecting pay structures.
More salary data for McAllen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in McAllen?
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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 $72,520 for physical therapist assistantsin the McAllen 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