Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $81,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $81,787/year (≈ $39.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $85,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the evolving field of physical therapy, the 2026 median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Port Arthur, Texas, is projected to be $81,787, a figure significantly higher than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $57,138 at the 10th percentile to $104,816 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust potential for income growth. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the increasing value placed on skilled PTAs, particularly as many consider the PTA-to-DPT bridge as a pathway to enhance their lifetime earnings. With an employment figure of 12 PTAs in Port Arthur, the local job market appears to provide stable opportunities for professionals in this vital healthcare sector.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,138 | $27.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,957 | $34.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,787 | $39.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,122 | $44.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,816 | $50.39 |
Median Salary Position
16.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,678 (2026 est.). At $81,787, the local median is 16.43% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be above the median
How Port Arthur Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $81,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,893 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.43% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $81,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.43% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 5.00% above the Texas state average of $77,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $81,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,448
2025 BLS Actual
$79,614
2026 Current Est.
$81,787
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,589 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,231 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,082 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,448 (2019) to $79,614 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,572 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $57,138 – $70,957 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,957 – $81,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,787 – $93,122 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,122 – $104,816 |
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 Port Arthur
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Port Arthur leans towards competitive, with the current employment of 12 professionals offering insights into potential opportunities within the area. With a cost of living index of 96, slightly below the national average, PTAs can enjoy a decent standard of living without the financial pressures seen in higher-cost regions. Among the various employer settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities, where recent Medicare cuts have impacted reimbursement rates. The existing pay disparities reflect the demands of productivity expectations and supervision roles, particularly in outpatient and skilled nursing contexts. For those seeking to maximize earnings in Port Arthur, pursuing specialized settings or evening and weekend shifts could enhance total compensation, especially given the Medicare policy changes affecting reimbursement practices in certain therapeutic environments.
More salary data for Port Arthur, 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 $79,614 for physical therapist assistantsin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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