Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Plano, TX: $81,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Plano, TX earns a median $81,345/year (≈ $39.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Plano's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $84,734 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Plano, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $81,345, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247, marking a 15.80% increase. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $52,962 at the 10th percentile to $107,698 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data with regional cost adjustments, reflect not only the rising demand for PTAs but also the opportunities for career advancement through bridging to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. As more PTAs seek to elevate their qualifications, the lifetime earning potential within the profession increases, which is favorable for those entering the job market in the Plano area.
About the Plano Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,962 | $25.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,041 | $32.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,345 | $39.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,065 | $45.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,698 | $51.78 |
Median Salary Position
15.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plano
In Plano, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,736 (2026 est.). At $81,345, the local median is 15.8% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Plano: You'd be above the median
How Plano Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Plano median: $81,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plano Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,842 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +15.80% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Plano, TX earn a median of $81,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.80% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.50% above the Texas state average of $77,842.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plano 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.
Plano, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $81,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,734 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,078
2025 BLS Actual
$79,183
2026 Current Est.
$81,345
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Plano (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,078 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,213 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,846 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,687 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,204 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plano metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,078 (2019) to $79,183 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,487 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plano 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) | $52,962 – $68,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,041 – $81,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,345 – $94,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,065 – $107,698 |
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 Plano
The job market in Plano currently employs 57 physical therapist assistants, suggesting a stable demand for this profession, especially considering the area's cost of living index stands at 96. This below-average index indicates that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to many other locations across the U.S. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher compensation than skilled nursing facilities, which have felt the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA services. Factors influencing pay disparities include the work setting, productivity expectations, and the type of therapy provided. For aspiring PTAs, focusing on outpatient settings, where pay is generally higher, and pursuing additional certifications can be effective strategies for maximizing financial returns in the Plano market, where competitive salaries await those who meet the growing demands of the healthcare sector.
More salary data for Plano, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Plano?
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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 $79,183 for physical therapist assistantsin the Plano 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 Plano 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