Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pasadena, TX: $78,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Pasadena, TX earns a median $78,351/year (≈ $37.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $81,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Pasadena is projected to reach a median annual rate of $78,351, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $55,385 at the 10th percentile to $104,454 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight Pasadena's competitive job market for physical therapist assistants. The potential for increasing lifetime earnings is particularly noteworthy, especially for those who may consider pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT), which can significantly enhance earning potential over a career.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,385 | $26.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,608 | $32.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,351 | $37.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,548 | $44.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,454 | $50.21 |
Median Salary Position
11.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,069 (2026 est.). At $78,351, the local median is 11.54% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $78,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,884 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +11.54% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $78,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.54% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% above the Texas state average of $77,884.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena 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.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $78,351 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,616 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,573
2025 BLS Actual
$76,269
2026 Current Est.
$78,351
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,573 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,473 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,898 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,490 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $65,573 (2019) to $76,269 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,490 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,917 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $55,385 – $68,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,608 – $78,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,351 – $91,548 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,548 – $104,454 |
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 Pasadena
Amid a local workforce of only 32 physical therapist assistants, the job market in Pasadena shows promising strength despite the lower cost-of-living index of 96. This index suggests a better purchasing power for earnings when compared to other regions. Employment opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics, which often provide higher pay, are particularly advantageous. However, the salary disparity can be attributed to various factors, including setting; therapists generally earn more in hospital positions than in outpatient or skilled nursing facilities, the latter of which have faced recent reductions in Medicare reimbursements. The impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA-provided services has further compressed salaries in these settings. To maximize income potential, aspiring PTAs in Pasadena should seek roles in lucrative outpatient clinics or enhance their skills to work in settings where productivity expectations and supervision requirements can lead to better pay.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Pasadena, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Pasadena?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Pasadena?
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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 $76,269 for physical therapist assistantsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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