Physical Therapist Salary in Houston, TX
Physical Therapists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $107,700 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $84,597 take-home, or $7,050 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,864
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,677
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,562
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$84,597
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,250 | $37.62 | $63,879 | $5,323 |
| 25th percentile | $94,430 | $45.40 | $75,262 | $6,272 |
| Median (50th) | $107,700 | $51.78 | $84,597 | $7,050 |
| 75th percentile | $127,640 | $61.37 | $98,508 | $8,209 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,570 | $68.54 | $108,713 | $9,059 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $107,700 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $84,597 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,773 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physical Therapist jobs are about as common in Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #1 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $107,700 | $84,597 | $85,773 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $141,980 | $97,489 | $84,324 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $103,630 | $81,734 | $83,346 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $103,770 | $78,800 | $82,345 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $107,780 | $84,653 | $82,116 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $102,430 | $80,890 | $80,176 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $100,600 | $75,811 | $79,727 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $105,790 | $80,006 | $78,013 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
About the job: physical therapists
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.9% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Physical Therapist salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Austin, TX — $103,630
- Dallas, TX — $107,780
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Houston, TX?
The median physical therapist salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $107,700 a year, or about $51.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $94,430 and $127,640.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $107,700 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $84,597 a year ($7,050 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,773 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #1 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $140,470
- Physician Assistant — $137,240
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,560
- Dental Hygienist — $104,930
- Occupational Therapist — $103,580
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $100,400
- Registered Nurse — $99,830
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,780
- Respiratory Therapist — $80,450
- Surgical Technologist — $71,050
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $63,670