PT Assistant Salary

Houston vs Kingsville: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$79,390
$38.16/hr
Kingsville, TX
$74,587
$35.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXKingsville, TX
Median Salary$79,390$74,587
Hourly Rate$38.16$35.86
Entry Level (P10)$43,640$55,511
25th Percentile$62,162$67,026
75th Percentile$88,286$85,036
Top Earner (P90)$104,055$94,642
Total Employed2,2105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($79,390) and Kingsville ($74,587) physical therapist assistant salaries.HoustonKingsvilleMedian Salary$79,390$74,587Entry Level (P10)$43,640$55,511Top Earner (P90)$104,055$94,642US Median $70,247

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsville.

The salary gap between Houston and Kingsville is $4,803 (6.44%). Houston's median is +13.02% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $60,415,Kingsville spans $39,131. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,640
P25$62,162
Median$79,390
P75$88,286
P90 (Top)$104,055
Kingsville
P10 (Entry)$55,511
P25$67,026
Median$74,587
P75$85,036
P90 (Top)$94,642

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($80,494 effective) pays 3.60% more than Kingsville ($77,695 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $79,390
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $80,494
Kingsville
Nominal: $74,587
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,695

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,055)
  • Larger job market (2,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,494)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kingsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Houston grew 6.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Kingsville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+6.6%

$72,490 (2019) → $77,280 (2025)

Kingsville, TX

+9.7%

$66,207 (2024) → $72,605 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Houston or Kingsville?

Houston has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $79,390/year, compared to Kingsville at $74,587/year — a difference of $4,803 (6.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Kingsville?

Houston physical therapist assistants earn $38.16/hr while Kingsville hygienists earn $35.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Kingsville as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Kingsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $80,494, Kingsville = $77,695), job availability (2,210 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Houston vs Kingsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $43,640 in Houston and $55,511 in Kingsville. The Kingsville 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