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

Physical Therapist Salary in Houston: $105K Median

Physical Therapists in Houston, TX earn between $79K and $137K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Houston, TX is $104,696 per year — +5% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $78,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $136,500 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Houston earned approximately $15,863 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$104,696
+560.0% YoY · $8,725/mo
Entry
$81,900
0–2 years
Experienced
$120,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$136,500
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$105K
San Antonio
$93K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$105K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$115K
-9% vs Houston

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About Physical Therapists in Houston

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)

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Houston 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 — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,750$104,696$136,500
Monthly$6,563$8,725$11,375
Weekly$1,514$2,013$2,625
Hourly$38$50$66

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Houston

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$81,951.636
Per month$6,829
Biweekly paycheck$3,152
Effective tax rate21.7%

Tax Breakdown on $104,696

Gross salary$104,696
Federal income tax−$14,735.12
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,009.244
Take-home (net)$81,951.636

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 — Houston

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$75,348
2–3 yr$81,900
4–6 yr$101,325
7–10 yr$120,750
11–15 yr$142,485
15+ yr$128,625

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,863
2026 median:$104,696
Change:+$88,833

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$109,058
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Houston

Walk-away anchor: $95,178 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

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 $121K–$137K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Houston, TX?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Houston is $104,696 per year as of April 2026 — $8,725/month, $2,013/week, or about $50/hour. Salaries range from $78,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $136,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $104,696 a good Physical Therapist salary in Houston?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $104,696 a real purchasing power of approximately $109,058 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $104,696 in Houston?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $104,696 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $104,696 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $104,696 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $104,696 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $104,696 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $104,696 each ($209,392 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $104,696 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $104,696 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 Houston. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Houston?
On a $104,696 Physical Therapist salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $81,951.636 per year ($6,829/month, $3,152 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,735.12, state $0, FICA $8,009.244. Effective tax rate: 21.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $104,696 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $109,058 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Houston?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Houston typically start at around $81,900 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $120,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $136,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Houston grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $15,863 in 2025 to $104,696 in 2026 (+$88,833). 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 Houston?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Houston?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Houston 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 Houston?
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 Houston?
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 Houston?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Houston'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 Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — 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 Houston

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

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$105KPhiladelphia, PA$104KSan Antonio, TX$93KDallas, TX$105KAustin, TX$115KFort Worth, TX$102KCharlotte, NC$102KEl Paso, TX$85K

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