Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in The Woodlands, TX: $78,441 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in The Woodlands, TX earns a median $78,441/year (≈ $37.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in The Woodlands's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $81,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in The Woodlands, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $78,441, reflecting a strong local job market that outpaces the national median of $70,247 by 11.66%. The salary range for this occupation spans from $55,272 at the 10th percentile to $104,957 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential based on experience and work settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variations, suggest good compensation opportunities for PTAs in this area. As demand for healthcare services continues to rise, the productivity expectations for physical therapist assistants, including visits-per-day metrics, further shape their earning potential in The Woodlands job market.
About the The Woodlands Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,272 | $26.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,791 | $33.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,441 | $37.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,637 | $44.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,957 | $50.46 |
Median Salary Position
11.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Woodlands
In The Woodlands, TX, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,685 (2026 est.). At $78,441, the local median is 11.66% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Woodlands: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Woodlands Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
The Woodlands median: $78,441/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Woodlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,895 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +11.66% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $78,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% above the Texas state average of $77,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Woodlands 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.
The Woodlands, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $78,441 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,709 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,647
2025 BLS Actual
$76,356
2026 Current Est.
$78,441
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,742 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,316 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,554 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,356 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,441 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Woodlands metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $65,647 (2019) to $76,356 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,935 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Woodlands 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) | $55,272 – $68,791 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,791 – $78,441 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,441 – $91,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,637 – $104,957 |
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 The Woodlands
With only 21 physical therapist assistants currently employed in The Woodlands, the job market is relatively limited but competitive. The local cost of living index stands at 96, which means the area offers a lower-than-average cost of living compared to national standards, enhancing overall take-home pay for PTAs. Among various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly when factoring in productivity incentives and premium pay for weekend or PRN shifts. The disparity in earnings here is influenced by variables such as the setting of work—with hospital roles generally commanding higher wages than skilled nursing facilities, especially since the 15% Medicare cut has impacted reimbursements in these heavily Medicare-dependent environments. To maximize pay in The Woodlands TX, aspiring PTAs should consider specializing in areas with higher reimbursement rates, actively manage their productivity, and seek opportunities that align with healthcare trends in the region.
More salary data for The Woodlands, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in The Woodlands?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in The Woodlands?
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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 $76,356 for physical therapist assistantsin the The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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