Physical Therapist Salary in Dallas, TX
Physical Therapists in Dallas, TX earn a median of $79,000/year, ranging from $60,830 (25th percentile) to $126,400 (90th percentile). After Texas state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 112), this is equivalent to $70,536 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Dallas, TX
Physical therapy clinics across Dallas range from large outpatient networks like Encompass Health and Therapy Partners to smaller independent practices scattered throughout the metro. The no state income tax advantage in Texas means your take-home stretches further than comparable roles elsewhere, though cost of living runs slightly above the national average. A one-bedroom apartment in neighborhoods like Deep Ellum or Uptown runs around $1,400 to $1,600 per month, leaving breathing room on a mid-range PT salary. The sprawling car-dependent layout means commuting via the Dallas North Tollway or I-35E is typical, though some clinics cluster near DART light rail stations for easier access. Most PTs here split time between orthopedic rehab, sports medicine, and outpatient hospital-based settings, with demand steady across the growing north Dallas suburbs.
1Salary Distribution in Dallas, TX
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Dallas, TX Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX (current) | $79,000 | 112 | $70,536 |
| Austin, TX | $84,000 | 124 | $67,742 |
| Houston, TX | $77,000 | 107 | $71,963 |
| El Paso, TX | $53,000 | 85 | $62,353 |
| San Francisco, CA | $105,000 | 186 | $56,452 |
| New York, NY | $101,000 | 187 | $54,011 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Dallas, TX?
The median Physical Therapist salary in Dallas, TX is $79,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $60,830 and the 90th percentile is $126,400.
Is Dallas, TX a good place to work as a Physical Therapist?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $79,000 Physical Therapist salary in Dallas, TX is equivalent to $70,536 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112, meaning it is 12% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Texas is approximately 0%.
What is the Physical Therapist salary range in Dallas, TX?
In Dallas, TX, Physical Therapists earn between $60,830 (25th percentile) and $126,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,000 per year.
How many Physical Therapist jobs are there in Dallas, TX?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 52,500 Physical Therapist positions in the Dallas, TX metropolitan area.
What do Physical Therapists earn in Dallas, TX?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Physical Therapists in Dallas, TX earn a median annual wage of $79,000. The middle 50% earn between $60,830 and $101,120. The top 10% earn more than $126,400. There are approximately 52,500 Physical Therapists employed in the Dallas, TX metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.5%.
Is Dallas, TX a good place for a Physical Therapist?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100), making it 12% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Physical Therapist in Dallas, TX earning $79,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $70,536 relative to the US median. Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX's cost of living index is 112, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $79,000 in Dallas, TXhas the same purchasing power as $70,536 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Dallas, TX with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Physical Therapist in Dallas, TX?
The headline median of $79,000 is only part of the picture. Dallas, TX's cost of living index is 112 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 89¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $79,000 salary effectively purchases $70,536 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Dallas, TX, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $79,000 salary, that translates to roughly $25,280/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Texas has no state income tax, which is typically worth 4–8% of gross salary versus a high-tax state. For this role, that's roughly $4,740 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $72,996. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: Austin, TX ($84,000 median, COL 124); Houston, TX ($77,000 median, COL 107); El Paso, TX ($53,000 median, COL 85). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 5.5% year-over-year growth rate for Physical Therapists in Dallas, TX is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Physical Therapists or the Texas state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.