PT Assistant Salary

Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Georgetown, TX: $51,658 (2026)

Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Georgetown, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,658 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Georgetown's local price level (BEA RPP 96.04% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,810 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,507) within a few years of clinical practice.

$51,658
Starting Salary
$24.84/hr
Starting Hourly
$51,658
Entry Level
$77,507
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Physical Therapist Assistant Entry Level Salary in Georgetown, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Georgetown, TX physical therapist assistant entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates entering the physical therapist assistant (PTA) field in Georgetown, Texas can expect starting positions to yield an entry-level physical therapist assistant salary of around $51,658. This is significantly lower than the projected median annual wage of $77,507 for the overall profession in the area, illustrating a gap of nearly $25,849 that early-career PTAs will likely need to bridge in their first few years. Based on the industry growth rate of 2.73%, new PTAs have the potential to gradually increase their earnings as they gain experience, moving up to the 25th percentile earning $65,613 within the initial years. The Georgetown market appears to be favorable for new graduates, aligning well with this trajectory and offering solid employment opportunities as the demand for healthcare services continues to rise.

About the Georgetown Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Georgetown

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$51,658/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$65,613/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$77,507/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$91,268/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Georgetown

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for physical therapist assistants in Georgetown. The median salary is $77,507, compared to the national median of $70,247.$46.5K$62.3K$78.0K$93.8K$109.6K$51.7K10th Pctl$65.6K25th Pctl$77.5KMedian$91.3K75th Pctl$104.4K90th PctlUS Median$70.2K

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Georgetown, TX typically start between $51,658 and $65,613 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,707 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,50710.33% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of physical therapist assistant pay in the Georgetown metro area.

Return on Investment

$20,000
Avg TX Program Cost
$51,658
Starting Salary
38.72%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average physical therapy program cost in Texas of $20,000 represents just 38.72% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($51,658/year) in Georgetown. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.

PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Georgetown

  • 1Research the Georgetown market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $51,658 to $65,613, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Georgetown, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Georgetown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Georgetown's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range

The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Georgetown is $52,707 ( 102.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,658, experienced hygienists can earn up to $104,365.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$35,226

2025 BLS Actual

$50,285

2026 Current Est.

$51,658

2019–2027 Growth

+50.7%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Georgetown (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for physical therapist assistants in Georgetown. Baseline $35,226 in 2025, projected to $53,068 by 2027.$31.7K$37.9K$44.1K$50.4K$56.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.2K$35.6K$39.3K$45.6K$44.3K$46.1K$50.3K$51.7K$53.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,226Actual
2020$35,637Actual
2021$39,259Actual
2022$45,641Actual
2023$44,346Actual
2024$46,141Actual
2025$50,285Actual
2026(current)$51,658Estimated
2027$53,068Projected

Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Georgetown, TX grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,226 in 2019 to $50,285 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,068. New graduates entering the Georgetown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgetown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your physical therapy Career in Georgetown

For recent graduates, certain employers in Georgetown are more inclined to hire entry-level PTAs, particularly outpatient clinics, which tend to be a primary source of job openings. Although skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have faced challenges due to recent reimbursement cuts, they still seek new graduates to help meet staffing needs. Conversely, home health agencies often prefer candidates with a year or two of clinical experience, which may pose a challenge for fresh entrants into the field. To bolster starting physical therapist assistant pay in TX, candidates should prioritize obtaining a CAPTE-accredited Associate's degree, passing the NPTAE, and securing a state PTA license. Continued education can also be beneficial, as advanced proficiency credentials from the APTA may enhance value in the job market. Realistically, new PTAs can expect competitive salary growth in those first three years, especially in a region accustomed to managing and adapting to changing reimbursement regulations, such as the 15% Medicare cut on PTA-provided services initiated in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Georgetown in 2026?

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Georgetown start at approximately $51,658/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.73% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $24.84/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Georgetown?

Most physical therapist assistants in Georgetown progress from the entry-level salary of $51,658 to the area median of $77,507 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $104,365 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is physical therapy school worth it in Georgetown?

With a starting salary of $51,658/year in Georgetown and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for an associate's degree (2–3 years), graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new physical therapist assistants recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Georgetown?

New physical therapy graduates in Georgetown typically start near the 10th percentile at $51,658/year, or approximately $24.84/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Texas?

To become a licensed physical therapist assistant in Texas, you typically need an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. from an accredited program (typically 2–3 years), then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Texas, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some physical therapist assistants pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Georgetown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Georgetown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).

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

Last verified: