Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pearland, TX: $77,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Pearland, TX earns a median $77,173/year (≈ $37.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Pearland's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $80,389 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $77,173 in 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Pearland, Texas, enjoy a lucrative pay scale that surpasses the national median by 9.86%. The salary range for this role spans from $53,787 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $101,988 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect a robust employment market for PTAs in Pearland. As the demand for physical therapy services grows, particularly amid the ongoing transitions from PTA to DPT pathways, there are ample opportunities for both current practitioners and those entering the field to enhance their lifetime earning potential.
About the Pearland Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,787 | $25.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,056 | $32.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,173 | $37.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,580 | $43.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,988 | $49.03 |
Median Salary Position
9.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearland
In Pearland, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,201 (2026 est.). At $77,173, the local median is 9.86% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Pearland median: $77,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,874 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.86% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Pearland, TX earn a median of $77,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.86% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $77,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearland 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.
Pearland, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $77,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,389 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,586
2025 BLS Actual
$75,122
2026 Current Est.
$77,173
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pearland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,586 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,663 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,502 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,122 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,586 (2019) to $75,122 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,694 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearland 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) | $53,787 – $67,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,056 – $77,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,173 – $89,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,580 – $101,988 |
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 Pearland
Currently, there are approximately 19 physical therapist assistants employed in Pearland, each navigating a cost-of-living index of 96, which is slightly below the national average. This factor influences the purchasing power of their salaries, making it crucial for PTAs to align their job search with local demand. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, in particular, tend to offer higher compensation, while skilled nursing facilities have been pressured by recent Medicare cuts, leading to pay stagnation in those settings. To maximize earnings in Pearland, aspiring PTAs should consider working in environments that favor performance incentives or explore further education toward becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, which can significantly elevate earning trajectories. Understanding how local employers structure salaries can provide clear pathways for advancement in the field.
More salary data for Pearland, 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 $75,122 for physical therapist assistantsin the Pearland 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 Pearland 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