Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cedar Park, TX: $104,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Cedar Park, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $104,248/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Cedar Park's price premium (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $108,592 in average-cost America. The 34% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The potential for top earners in Cedar Park, Texas, as a senior physical therapist assistant is highly attractive, with projected 2026 salaries reaching $104,248 at the 90th percentile. Compared to national top earners, this figure illustrates a competitive edge in Cedar Park's job market. The experience premium is evident in the strong gap between the median salary of $77,534 and the highest salaries in the region. Achieving such distinguished compensation often demands extensive hands-on experience, advanced specialization, and a comprehensive understanding of the market's intricacies. Successful senior physical therapist assistants typically exhibit superiority in clinical outcomes, the ability to mentor junior staff, and adaptability to various treatment settings, ensuring they can command such top-tier pay.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Park
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Cedar Park earn between $91,386 and $104,248 per year (2026 est.). This $52,287 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Cedar Park median of $77,534 sits 10.37% above the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Cedar Park | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $77,534 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,386 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $104,248 | $91,954 |
In Cedar Park, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 34.45% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Cedar Park
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $77,534 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Cedar Park employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Cedar Park command premium compensation, often reaching the $91,386–$104,248 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Cedar Park metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Cedar Park with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Texas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Cedar Park
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCedar Park ranks #19 of 109 Texas cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $104,248).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Cedar Park ($104,248) is 1.15% above the Texas average P90 ($103,063).
2019 BLS Actual
$91,649
2025 BLS Actual
$101,478
2026 Current Est.
$104,248
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,649 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,497 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,707 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,094 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Cedar Park saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $91,649 in 2019 to $101,478 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $107,094 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Cedar Park
In Cedar Park, compensation for senior physical therapist assistants can vary significantly depending on specialization. Specializations like orthopedic, geriatric, and pediatric therapy often come with enhanced pay opportunities, reflecting the complex skills required for these roles. Furthermore, the type of employer plays a critical role in salary discrepancies; outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies offer different compensation structures. Leadership positions, such as becoming a lead PTA or pursuing a PTA-to-DPT bridge, can foster further income growth and professional satisfaction. Advanced credentials—like obtaining the APTA's optional advanced proficiency—serve to enrich earning potential in this field, particularly as the market adjusts to various reimbursement challenges, including the 15% Medicare cut affecting heavily reliant settings. Additionally, workplace settings influence financial benefits, where hospitals generally provide higher compensation than outpatient clinics or SNFs, thus making strategic job placement essential for maximizing income.
More salary data for Cedar Park, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Cedar Park in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Cedar Park?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Cedar Park?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Cedar Park?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Cedar Park?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $101,478 for physical therapist assistants in the Cedar Park metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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