Physical Therapist Salary in Brownsville, TX: $106,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Brownsville, TX earns a median $106,364/year (≈ $51.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $123,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Brownsville, Texas, the physical therapist salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $106,364 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $105,288. This robust compensation reflects the dynamic nature of the healthcare market in the city, where salaries for physical therapists can range from $74,079 at the 10th percentile to $147,696 at the 90th percentile. These insights stem from the 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrating how employment settings affect pay. For example, outpatient orthopedic chains may offer lower base salaries possibly supplemented by productivity bonuses, while positions in hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities often provide higher compensation due to different productivity expectations and patient care dynamics. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for those considering physical therapy careers in Brownsville.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,079 | $35.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,054 | $39.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,364 | $51.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,716 | $59.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,696 | $71.00 |
Median Salary Position
1.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,617 (2026 est.). At $106,364, the local median is 1.02% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brownsville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $106,364/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $107,114 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.02% more |
Physical Therapists in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $106,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $107,114.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,364 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $123,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,810
2025 BLS Actual
$103,810
2026 Current Est.
$106,364
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,980 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 9.5% from $94,810 (2019) to $103,810 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,170 (14.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,079 – $83,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,054 – $106,364 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,364 – $122,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,716 – $147,696 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Brownsville
The local job market for physical therapists in Brownsville is notably strong, with approximately 280 professionals currently employed in this sector. Alongside this promising employment outlook, the city's cost of living index stands at 85.975, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average, allowing for greater take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer the highest salaries include established outpatient orthopedic clinics, especially private practices and larger chains like Athletico and ATI, while hospital systems and travel PT agencies are also competitive. Variations in pay can often be driven by factors such as board certifications (like OCS and SCS), differing productivity models, and the shift towards cash-pay practices as opposed to traditional insurance reimbursement methods. Aspiring physical therapists should consider specializing or obtaining board certifications to maximize their potential earnings in the competitive Brownsville market.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Brownsville, TX in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Brownsville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Brownsville?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $103,810 for physical therapistsin the Brownsville metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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