Physical Therapist Pay

Houston vs Pflugerville: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Houston, TX and Pflugerville, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$110,349
$53.05/hr
Pflugerville, TX
$105,984
$50.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPflugerville, TX
Median Salary$110,349$105,984
Hourly Rate$53.05$50.95
Entry Level (P10)$80,175$75,551
25th Percentile$96,753$91,422
75th Percentile$130,780$127,011
Top Earner (P90)$146,077$142,017
Total Employed4,68016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($110,349) and Pflugerville ($105,984) physical therapist salaries.HoustonPflugervilleMedian Salary$110,349$105,984Entry Level (P10)$80,175$75,551Top Earner (P90)$146,077$142,017US Median $105,288

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pflugerville.

The salary gap between Houston and Pflugerville is $4,365 (4.12%). Houston's median is +4.81% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $65,902,Pflugerville spans $66,466. Pflugerville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$80,175
P25$96,753
Median$110,349
P75$130,780
P90 (Top)$146,077
Pflugerville
P10 (Entry)$75,551
P25$91,422
Median$105,984
P75$127,011
P90 (Top)$142,017

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,883 effective) pays 1.34% more than Pflugerville ($110,400 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $110,349
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,883
Pflugerville
Nominal: $105,984
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $110,400

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,349/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,077)
  • Larger job market (4,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,883)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Pflugerville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Houston grew 21.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.9% growth in Pflugerville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+21.7%

$88,530 (2019) → $107,700 (2025)

Pflugerville, TX

+8.9%

$94,953 (2024) → $103,439 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Houston or Pflugerville?

Houston has a higher median physical therapist salary at $110,349/year, compared to Pflugerville at $105,984/year — a difference of $4,365 (4.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pflugerville?

Houston physical therapists earn $53.05/hr while Pflugerville hygienists earn $50.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Pflugerville as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pflugerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $111,883, Pflugerville = $110,400), job availability (4,680 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Houston vs Pflugerville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $80,175 in Houston and $75,551 in Pflugerville. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov