Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Harlingen, TX: $52.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Harlingen, TX runs $52.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,257 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Harlingen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,958 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Harlingen, TX, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $52.05, which is slightly higher than the national median of $50.62. This rate becomes particularly appealing for professionals considering part-time roles, such as those working three days a week in settings like outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation units, or home health agencies. Such part-time physical therapists can adapt their schedules across various environments including sports performance centers and skilled nursing facilities while capitalizing on the increased flexibility. Entry-level hourly pay begins at around $38.66, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $66.49 per hour, reflecting a wide range of compensation opportunities across the field. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing insight into the expected earnings for specialists in this area.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.66 | $309.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.93 | $359.43 |
| Median (P50) | $52.05 | $416.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.42 | $483.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.49 | $531.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harlingen
Based on $52.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.05/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harlingen, TX can expect to earn approximately $108,263 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,460. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harlingen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harlingen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,081.99 | $9,022 | $108,263 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,249.19 | $5,413 | $64,958 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $832.79 | $3,609 | $43,305 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Harlingen) | $52.05 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Harlingen, TX earn a median of $108,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.00% above the Texas state average of $107,185.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.05/hr = $64,958/year (purchasing power: $67,665).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,263/year (purchasing power: $112,774).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Harlingen grew 14.9% from $44.22/hr (2019) to $50.80/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harlingen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Harlingen
Examining the earning potential for a part-time physical therapist working 24 hours a week in Harlingen reveals a significant difference compared to full-time practitioners. Working three days a week could yield around $54,137 annually, taking into consideration the hourly rate. Additionally, per diem positions, commonly seen in rehabilitation settings, tend to range from $50 to $75 per hour, with travel contracts offering even higher compensation between $1,800 and $2,800 a week, inclusive of stipends. It's notable that hourly rates can vary widely depending on the type of employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often paying less than hospital systems while offering productivity bonuses, driven by CMS reimbursement changes. Some therapists may accept lower hourly pay for the benefits of a full-time position, whereas others may prioritize higher pay with fewer benefits by working in cash-pay settings. Negotiating hourly rates in Harlingen can help potential candidates better align their work conditions with their financial needs, emphasizing their specialized training from accredited programs like CAPTE or their board specialties, such as OCS or SCS.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Harlingen in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Harlingen. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Harlingen is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov