Healthcare Houston, TX Pop. 2,304,580

Physical Therapist Salary in Houston, Texas

The median physical therapist salary in Houston, TX is $95,766 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 4.3% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$95,766
vs State Avg
+$3,909
vs National
$-1,954
Cost of Living
96%

Physical Therapist Pay in Houston: What to Expect (2026)

Houston offers a median physical therapist salary of $95,766, which is $3,909 above the Texas state average of $91,857. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Houston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Houston's cost of living is 96% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Houston spans from $65,464 at the 10th percentile to $127,596 at the 90th percentile — a $62,132 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,640, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $125,440. As a major metro area with a population of 2,304,580, Houston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Physical Therapist Salary in Houston by Experience

In Houston, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $66,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $125,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,640
$-1,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$96,040
$-1,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$125,440
$-2,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Houston, TX

Percentile Houston
10th Percentile $65,464
25th Percentile $78,596
Median (50th) $95,766
75th Percentile $114,072
90th Percentile $127,596

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$104,560
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$99,674
Pop. 1,304,379
Fort Worth, TX
$91,857
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$87,948
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Houston

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Houston and the surrounding Texas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Houston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Houston

Browse open physical therapist positions in Houston, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Houston

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Houston, TX? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Houston, Texas is $95,766 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $65,464 (10th percentile) to $127,596 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Houston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,766, a physical therapist in Houston earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Houston compare to the Texas state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Houston's median physical therapist salary of $95,766 is 4.3% above the Texas state average of $91,857. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Houston, TX? ▼
Houston has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $95,766 in Houston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Houston? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Houston require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.