Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$53,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$62,353 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$57,614 vs $62,594
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $84,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $64,680▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $107,520▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $134,400▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,353 | $67,742▲ | -$5,389 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $77,616▲ | -$28,644 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,614 | $62,594▲ | -$4,980 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 57,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $31,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($62,353 vs $67,742 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.