Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in San Marcos, TX: $89,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in San Marcos, TX earns a median $89,284/year (≈ $42.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in San Marcos's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $93,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in San Marcos, TX, the projected annual salary for 2026 is $89,284, significantly above the national median of $70,247. The salaries are expected to range from $62,067 at the 10th percentile to $114,495 at the 90th percentile. These figures are shaped by various factors including local dynamics, the existing job market, and cost-of-living adjustments in the area, which is notably below average at a cost-of-living index of 96. Following recent Medicare cuts, the employment landscape has shifted, with outpatient clinics often offering competitive pay due to a growing demand for services. As a result, job seekers will find fluctuating compensation rates depending on the specific setting they choose, reflecting the impact of policy changes on the market.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,067 | $29.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,503 | $37.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,284 | $42.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,700 | $48.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,495 | $55.04 |
Median Salary Position
27.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Marcos
In San Marcos, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,428 (2026 est.). At $89,284, the local median is 27.1% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Marcos: You'd be above the median
How San Marcos Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
San Marcos median: $89,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Marcos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,841 | +14.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +27.10% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in San Marcos, TX earn a median of $89,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.10% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 14.70% above the Texas state average of $77,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Marcos 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.
San Marcos, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $89,284 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,004 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,722
2025 BLS Actual
$86,911
2026 Current Est.
$89,284
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,722 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,968 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,025 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,911 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,721 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Marcos metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $74,722 (2019) to $86,911 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,999 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Marcos 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) | $62,067 – $77,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,503 – $89,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,284 – $101,700 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,700 – $114,495 |
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 Marcos
The job market for physical therapist assistants in San Marcos comprises just 13 professionals currently employed in the field, highlighting a niche yet vital sector. Given the area’s relatively low cost of living, the purchasing power of these salaries arguably stretches further than in many parts of the country. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and private practices tend to offer higher salaries, benefiting from the rise in patient volume and services post-Medicare cuts. Conversely, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have seen reduced pay levels due to updated reimbursement rates from Medicare, making them less lucrative in comparison. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, physical therapist assistants should consider specializations, such as pediatric care or hospital inpatient rehabilitation, and pursue additional certifications. Additionally, working weekends or as a per diem (PRN) employee can further enhance income opportunities due to higher pay rates associated with those roles.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in San Marcos?
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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 $86,911 for physical therapist assistantsin the San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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