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Physical Therapist Assistant in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Texas employs 10,510 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $78,000 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $78,000 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,900
Experienced (75th percentile): $87,330
Top earners (90th percentile): $99,640
Employed in Texas: 10,510
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Texas markets:

Austin: $84,930 (1,180 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $80,370 (2,110 employed)
Houston: $77,280 (2,210 employed)
San Antonio: $76,830 (960 employed)
McAllen: $72,520 (410 employed)
El Paso: $71,140 (320 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,000 median stretches to roughly $80,330 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +29.5%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,150 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license — regulated by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE).

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (about 2 years including clinical rotations).
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs (NPTE-PTA) through FSBPT.
Apply for your Texas license through ECPTOTE with the required background check.

Official requirements: Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE) →

Training in Texas

Texas has CAPTE-accredited PTA programs across the state, including at Houston Community College, Dallas College, St. Philip's College (San Antonio), and Austin Community College. Admission is competitive; observation hours in a PT clinic strengthen applications.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Alvin Community College — Associate
Amarillo College — Associate
Angelina College — Associate
Austin Community College District — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Texas

Real Texas outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

West Texas Rehabilitation Center — Abilene
Procare Therapies, PC — Alamo
Little Lighthouse Children's Rehab LLC — Alice
Aveanna Healthcare — Allen
Dino Therapy Services, LLC — Alton
H2 Health — Amarillo

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Texas?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Texas is $78,000 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,900, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,640. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Texas?

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license, overseen by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE). Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (about 2 years including clinical rotations).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Texas?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Texas metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $84,930, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth ($80,370), Houston ($77,280). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Texas?

Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +29.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,150 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Texas wages · Texas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.