PT Assistant Salary

Corpus Christi vs Dallas: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Corpus Christi, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corpus Christi, TX
$75,938
$36.51/hr
Dallas, TX
$82,564
$39.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorpus Christi, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$75,938$82,564
Hourly Rate$36.51$39.69
Entry Level (P10)$52,248$38,924
25th Percentile$61,278$65,829
75th Percentile$81,116$93,905
Top Earner (P90)$100,655$107,753
Total Employed2002,110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corpus Christi ($75,938) and Dallas ($82,564) physical therapist assistant salaries.Corpus ChristiDallasMedian Salary$75,938$82,564Entry Level (P10)$52,248$38,924Top Earner (P90)$100,655$107,753US Median $70,247

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between Corpus Christi and Dallas is $6,626 (8.73%). Dallas's median is +17.53% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corpus Christi spans $48,407,Dallas spans $68,829. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$52,248
P25$61,278
Median$75,938
P75$81,116
P90 (Top)$100,655
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$38,924
P25$65,829
Median$82,564
P75$93,905
P90 (Top)$107,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corpus Christi ($81,944 effective) pays 2.32% more than Dallas ($80,089 effective).

Corpus Christi
Nominal: $75,938
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $81,944
Dallas
Nominal: $82,564
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $80,089

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,944)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,564/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,753)
  • Larger job market (2,110 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Corpus Christi grew 13.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Corpus Christi, TX

+13.1%

$65,360 (2019) → $73,920 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+4.5%

$76,920 (2021) → $80,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Corpus Christi or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $82,564/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $75,938/year — a difference of $6,626 (8.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corpus Christi and Dallas?

Corpus Christi physical therapist assistants earn $36.51/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $39.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corpus Christi to Dallas as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corpus Christi and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corpus Christi = $81,944, Dallas = $80,089), job availability (200 vs 2,110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Corpus Christi vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,248 in Corpus Christi and $38,924 in Dallas. The Corpus Christi area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov