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2026 Salary Data — El Paso, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in El Paso: $85K Median

Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX earn between $64K and $111K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in El Paso, TX is $84,754 per year — -15% below the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $63,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $110,500 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in El Paso earned approximately $12,842 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$84,754
+560.0% YoY · $7,063/mo
Entry
$66,300
0–2 years
Experienced
$97,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$110,500
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — El Paso vs Nearby
El Paso
$85K
Houston
$105K
-19% vs El Paso
San Antonio
$93K
-9% vs El Paso
Dallas
$105K
-19% vs El Paso

Free ATS scan · El Paso employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in El Paso

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)

El Paso Job Market

Border region hub with strong military and manufacturing presence.

Population
678K
Cost of Living
86
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.5%
Median Home
$215K

Top Industries in El Paso

MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in El Paso 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 — El Paso

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$63,750$84,754$110,500
Monthly$5,313$7,063$9,208
Weekly$1,226$1,630$2,125
Hourly$31$41$53

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for El Paso's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in El Paso

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,922.439
Per month$5,660
Biweekly paycheck$2,612
Effective tax rate19.9%

Tax Breakdown on $84,754

Gross salary$84,754
Federal income tax−$10,347.88
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,483.681
Take-home (net)$67,922.439

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 — El Paso

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in El Paso.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$60,996
2–3 yr$66,300
4–6 yr$82,025
7–10 yr$97,750
11–15 yr$115,345
15+ yr$104,125

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for El Paso's 0.85× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$12,842
2026 median:$84,754
Change:+$71,912

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
$98,551
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in El Paso

Walk-away anchor: $77,049 (offers below this are below market for El Paso).

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 $98K–$111K for experienced roles, citing El Paso market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — El Paso

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in El Paso, TX?
The average Physical Therapist salary in El Paso is $84,754 per year as of April 2026 — $7,063/month, $1,630/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $63,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $110,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for El Paso's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×).
Is $84,754 a good Physical Therapist salary in El Paso?
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. El Paso's cost-of-living index is 86 (vs 100 nationally), giving $84,754 a real purchasing power of approximately $98,551 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $84,754 in El Paso?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For El Paso specifically (median home price $215,000), a $84,754 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $84,754 enough for a single person in El Paso?
A single adult in El Paso typically needs ~$38,700 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $84,754 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $84,754 enough for a couple in El Paso?
A couple (one earner) in El Paso typically needs ~$61,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $84,754 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $84,754 each ($169,508 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $84,754 enough for a family of 4 in El Paso?
A family of 4 (one earner) in El Paso typically needs ~$94,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $84,754 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 El Paso. Childcare costs in El Paso typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in El Paso?
On a $84,754 Physical Therapist salary in El Paso, TX, you take home approximately $67,922.439 per year ($5,660/month, $2,612 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,347.88, state $0, FICA $6,483.681. Effective tax rate: 19.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in El Paso earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in El Paso earn approximately 15% less than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $84,754 in El Paso). However, El Paso's cost-of-living index of 86 means real purchasing power is approximately $98,551 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in El Paso?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in El Paso typically start at around $66,300 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $97,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $110,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in El Paso increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in El Paso grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,842 in 2025 to $84,754 in 2026 (+$71,912). 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 El Paso?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. El Paso's top industries include Military, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 El Paso.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in El Paso?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near El Paso 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 El Paso?
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 El Paso?
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 El Paso?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, El Paso'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 El Paso are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by El Paso's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.85× — 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 El Paso

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

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$105KSan Antonio, TX$93KDallas, TX$105KAustin, TX$115KFort Worth, TX$102KMemphis, TN$88KOklahoma City, OK$88KTulsa, OK$88K

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