Physical Therapist Salary in El Paso, TX
Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX earn a median of $53,000/year, ranging from $40,810 (25th percentile) to $84,800 (90th percentile). After Texas state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 85), this is equivalent to $62,353 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in El Paso, TX
Physical therapists here work across a mix of outpatient clinics, hospitals, and sports medicine facilities. Notable employers in this market include Las Palmas Medical Center, El Paso Physicians Group, and various independent rehab clinics catering to the region's active population and aging demographics. You'll find a one-bedroom apartment in central neighborhoods like Kern Place or East El Paso around $900 to $1,100 per month, which stretches further on a median PT salary than most metros. The city sprawls across the Rio Grande valley, making a car essential for patient visits and commuting between clinic locations; traffic on I-10 and local arteries moves steadily but can bottleneck during peak hours. Texas has no state income tax, a meaningful advantage over states like California or New York, and the desert climate means year-round outdoor activity options for your own recovery and wellness.
1Salary Distribution in El Paso, 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 El Paso, TX Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX (current) | $53,000 | 85 | $62,353 |
| Austin, TX | $84,000 | 124 | $67,742 |
| Dallas, TX | $79,000 | 112 | $70,536 |
| Houston, TX | $77,000 | 107 | $71,963 |
| 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 El Paso, TX?
The median Physical Therapist salary in El Paso, TX is $53,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $40,810 and the 90th percentile is $84,800.
Is El Paso, TX a good place to work as a Physical Therapist?
El Paso, TX has a cost of living index of 85 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $53,000 Physical Therapist salary in El Paso, TX is equivalent to $62,353 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for El Paso, TX?
El Paso, TX has a cost of living index of 85, meaning it is 15% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Texas is approximately 0%.
What is the Physical Therapist salary range in El Paso, TX?
In El Paso, TX, Physical Therapists earn between $40,810 (25th percentile) and $84,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $53,000 per year.
How many Physical Therapist jobs are there in El Paso, TX?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 9,000 Physical Therapist positions in the El Paso, TX metropolitan area.
What do Physical Therapists earn in El Paso, TX?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX earn a median annual wage of $53,000. The middle 50% earn between $40,810 and $67,840. The top 10% earn more than $84,800. There are approximately 9,000 Physical Therapists employed in the El Paso, TX metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.
Is El Paso, TX a good place for a Physical Therapist?
El Paso, TX has a cost of living index of 85 (US average = 100), making it 15% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Physical Therapist in El Paso, TX earning $53,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $62,353 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 El Paso, TX?
El Paso, TX's cost of living index is 85, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $53,000 in El Paso, TXhas the same purchasing power as $62,353 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 El Paso, 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 El Paso, TX?
The headline median of $53,000 is only part of the picture. El Paso, TX's cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here goes further than in most of the country. The $53,000 salary has the purchasing power of roughly $62,353 at national-average prices — a real premium for moving to a lower-cost market.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In El Paso, TX, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $53,000 salary, that translates to roughly $14,840/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 $3,180 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $48,972. 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); Dallas, TX ($79,000 median, COL 112); Houston, TX ($77,000 median, COL 107). 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 2.8% year-over-year growth rate for Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX is a leading indicator of market health. A mature, slower-growth market — often higher-paid in absolute terms but with fewer open roles and slower lateral moves. 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.