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2026 Salary Data — Austin, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Austin: $115K Median

Physical Therapists in Austin, TX earn between $86K and $150K per year.

That's +15% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Austin, TX is $114,666 per year — +15% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $86,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $149,500 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Austin earned approximately $17,374 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$114,666
+560.0% YoY · $9,556/mo
Entry
$89,700
0–2 years
Experienced
$132,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$149,500
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Austin vs Nearby
Austin
$115K
Houston
$105K
+10% vs Austin
San Antonio
$93K
+24% vs Austin
Dallas
$105K
+10% vs Austin

Free ATS scan · Austin employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Austin

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise prescription
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

In-demand certifications

DPTOCS (Orthopedic Specialist)SCS (Sports)NCS (Neurologic)

Austin Job Market

Texas tech capital with major Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and startup presence.

Population
974K
Cost of Living
119
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$510K

Top Industries in Austin

TechGovernmentEducationHealthcareMusic/Entertainment

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Austin or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Sports medicine practices
Home health agencies
Schools

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physical Therapist listings.

Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Career Outlook
+14% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population.

Physical Therapist Salary Breakdown — Austin

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$86,250$114,666$149,500
Monthly$7,188$9,556$12,458
Weekly$1,659$2,205$2,875
Hourly$41$55$72

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Austin

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$88,965.531
Per month$7,414
Biweekly paycheck$3,422
Effective tax rate22.4%

Tax Breakdown on $114,666

Gross salary$114,666
Federal income tax−$16,928.52
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,771.949
Take-home (net)$88,965.531

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience — Austin

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Austin.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$82,524
2–3 yr$89,700
4–6 yr$110,975
7–10 yr$132,250
11–15 yr$156,055
15+ yr$140,875

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Austin's 1.15× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,374
2026 median:$114,666
Change:+$97,292

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth PT and Sports medicine.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$96,358
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Austin

Walk-away anchor: $104,242 (offers below this are below market for Austin).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $132K–$150K for experienced roles, citing Austin market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Austin

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Austin, TX?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Austin is $114,666 per year as of April 2026 — $9,556/month, $2,205/week, or about $55/hour. Salaries range from $86,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $149,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×).
Is $114,666 a good Physical Therapist salary in Austin?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 (vs 100 nationally), giving $114,666 a real purchasing power of approximately $96,358 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $114,666 in Austin?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Austin specifically (median home price $510,000), a $114,666 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $114,666 enough for a single person in Austin?
A single adult in Austin typically needs ~$53,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $114,666 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $114,666 enough for a couple in Austin?
A couple (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$85,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $114,666 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $114,666 each ($229,332 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $114,666 enough for a family of 4 in Austin?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$130,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $114,666 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Austin. Childcare costs in Austin typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Austin?
On a $114,666 Physical Therapist salary in Austin, TX, you take home approximately $88,965.531 per year ($7,414/month, $3,422 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,928.52, state $0, FICA $8,771.949. Effective tax rate: 22.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Austin earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Austin earn approximately 15% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $114,666 in Austin). However, Austin's cost-of-living index of 119 means real purchasing power is approximately $96,358 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Austin?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Austin typically start at around $89,700 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $132,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $149,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Austin increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Austin grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $17,374 in 2025 to $114,666 in 2026 (+$97,292). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Austin?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Austin's top industries include Tech, Government, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physical Therapists are: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Austin.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Austin?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Austin include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Sports medicine practices, Home health agencies, Schools. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physical Therapist salary in Austin?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Austin?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DPT or OCS (Orthopedic Specialist)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physical Therapist in Austin?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Austin's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physical Therapist salary figures for Austin are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.15× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Austin

Occupational Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$105KSan Antonio, TX$93KSan Diego, CA$118KDallas, TX$105KFort Worth, TX$102KDenver, CO$110KEl Paso, TX$85KPortland, OR$110K

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