Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in San Antonio, TX: $78,927 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in San Antonio, TX earns a median $78,927/year (≈ $37.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $83,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, physical therapist assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $78,927 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation structure that surpasses the national average by over 12%. Salaries range significantly, from $48,817 at the 10th percentile to $101,590 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied earning potential based on experience and setting. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), highlights the significance of visit productivity in shaping earning potential in the local market. With increasing demand for rehabilitation services in San Antonio, physical therapist assistants have the opportunity to establish rewarding careers within this vibrant community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,817 | $23.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,168 | $31.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,927 | $37.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,725 | $41.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,590 | $48.84 |
Median Salary Position
12.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,773 (2026 est.). At $78,927, the local median is 12.36% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be above the median
How San Antonio Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $78,927/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,838 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +12.36% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $78,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.36% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $77,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $78,927 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,950
2025 BLS Actual
$76,830
2026 Current Est.
$78,927
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,927 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 24.0% from $61,950 (2019) to $76,830 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,132 (30.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $48,817 – $66,168 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,168 – $78,927 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,927 – $86,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,725 – $101,590 |
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 San Antonio
As of 2026, San Antonio has approximately 960 physical therapist assistants actively employed, indicating a robust local job market. The cost of living is favorable, with an index of 94.716, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for these professionals. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, influenced by the settings' reimbursement structures and patient volume. Variances in pay also depend on factors such as expected productivity, shift differentials for weekends or PRN work, and supervision demands under Medicare regulations. Strategies to maximize earnings in this environment may include seeking positions in high-demand settings, furthering education toward a DPT bridge pathway, staying updated on reimbursement changes, and participating in continuous professional development opportunities provided by APTA.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in San Antonio, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in San Antonio?
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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 $76,830 for physical therapist assistantsin the San Antonio 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