Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Texarkana, TX: $89,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Texarkana, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $89,344/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Texarkana's price premium (BEA RPP 84.0, 16% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $106,347 in average-cost America. The 18% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Texarkana, the potential for top physical therapist assistant salaries is significant, with the 2026 projected P90 reaching $89,344 and P75 at $85,430. This represents a promising opportunity for seasoned professionals, particularly when considering that the median annual salary is $75,568. With an experience premium that highlights the disparity between the median and top earners, those with over seven years in the field can realistically aim for the higher salary brackets, especially as market dynamics favor experienced clinicians. Achieving top-tier pay often requires not just extensive hands-on experience but also specialization or advanced credentials, which can set these professionals apart in a growing market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Texarkana earn between $85,430 and $89,344 per year (2026 est.). This $59,429 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Texarkana median of $75,568 sits 7.57% above the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Texarkana | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $75,568 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,430 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $89,344 | $91,954 |
In Texarkana, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 18.23% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Texarkana
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $75,568 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Texarkana employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Texarkana command premium compensation, often reaching the $85,430–$89,344 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Texarkana metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Texarkana with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Texas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Texarkana
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedTexarkana ranks #106 of 109 Texas cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $89,344).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Texarkana ($89,344) is 13.31% below the Texas average P90 ($103,063).
2019 BLS Actual
$78,546
2025 BLS Actual
$86,970
2026 Current Est.
$89,344
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,546 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,783 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Texarkana saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $78,546 in 2019 to $86,970 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $91,783 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Texarkana
Compensation for senior physical therapist assistants in Texarkana varies according to specialty and employer type. Those skilled in orthopedic, geriatric, and pediatric therapies often command higher wages due to the demand for these services. For instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer competitive salaries greater than those typically found in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or home health agencies. Advanced career paths such as leading a PTA team, supervising clinic operations, or transitioning into a regional clinical educator role can further elevate earning potential. Additional qualifications like an associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program and proficiency credentials from the APTA can help latch onto better compensation opportunities. Furthermore, understanding non-salary compensation factors, such as variations in workplace settings and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, can also play a crucial role in shaping senior physical therapist assistant pay in TX.
More salary data for Texarkana, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Texarkana in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Texarkana?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Texarkana?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Texarkana?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Texarkana?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $86,970 for physical therapist assistants in the Texarkana metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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