What is the cost of living adjusted Physical Therapist salary in Austin?

Austin's COL multiplier is 1.03x. The median Physical Therapist salary of $93,000 here equals about $90,291 in an average cost market.

When is the best time to job search as a Physical Therapist in Austin?

Physical Therapist hiring in Austin peaks in Q1 and early Q4. Timing your search around budget cycles maximizes negotiation leverage.

How much do Physical Therapists make in Austin compared to the national average?

The national median Physical Therapist salary is $90,291. In Austin, COL adjustments bring the median to $93,000.

What should I ask about benefits when interviewing for a Physical Therapist in Austin?

Ask about equity, bonuses, 401(k), health insurance, PTO, and remote flexibility. Benefits in Austin can add $23,250+ to base salary.

Physical Therapist.

Austin.

$93,000

median salary, 3% above the national average

$74,000 to $111,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Here is what Physical Therapists actually make in Austin: $74,000 at the 25th percentile, $93,000 at the median, and $111,000 at the 75th. That is 3% above the national average. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$74,000

per year

Median

$93,000

per year

75th Percentile

$111,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$74,000$111,000

How Austin compares

Austin, TX

$93,000

Cost of living: 3% above average

National Average

$90,000

Austin is $3,000 above

What you should know

If you are interviewing for Physical Therapist roles in Austin, here is what you are walking into. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The city's combination of no state income tax, a vibrant startup scene, and a strong university pipeline makes it highly competitive. Salaries have risen sharply over the past five years, narrowing the gap with coastal cities. Setting drives the biggest pay differences, with home health and travel PT positions paying 15 to 25% above outpatient clinics. Board-certified specialists in areas like orthopedics or neurology earn premiums. Geographic cost of living and state reimbursement rates also create significant variance across markets.

New-graduate PTs start at $70,000 to $80,000 in outpatient settings. With board certification and five years of experience, salaries reach $90,000 to $105,000. Clinical directors and practice owners can earn $110,000 to $130,000 depending on practice size and revenue. In Austin, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

Base salary is not the full picture. Benefits typically include CEU reimbursement of $1,500 to $3,000, student loan repayment assistance, and health insurance. Travel PTs receive housing stipends and per diems that can add $15,000 to $25,000 in effective annual compensation. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, which can mean 5 to 10% more take home pay compared to California roles. Property taxes are above average, however, running about 1.8% of home value. When someone quotes you $93,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Use the no income tax advantage as a negotiation lever. Ask employers to match 90% of a Bay Area offer and show that your net pay will actually be higher. The range for Physical Therapists in Austin runs from $74,000 to $111,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Austin

TechnologySemiconductorsClean EnergyHealthcareGovernment

Negotiating in Austin

Use the no income tax advantage as a negotiation lever. Ask employers to match 90% of a Bay Area offer and show that your net pay will actually be higher.

Common questions.

Travel PTs often earn 25 to 40% more in total compensation when factoring in tax-free housing stipends, per diems, and completion bonuses. A typical 13-week contract pays the equivalent of $100,000 to $120,000 annualized.

Yes, board-certified specialists in orthopedics, sports, or neurology typically earn 5 to 12% more than generalist PTs. Certification signals advanced expertise and can open doors to higher-paying clinical or academic positions.

Austin's cost of living multiplier is 1.03x the national average. The adjusted median Physical Therapist salary of $93,000 accounts for this. In practice, a Physical Therapist earning $93,000 in Austin has roughly the same purchasing power as someone earning $90,291 in an average cost market.

Hiring for Physical Therapists in Austin typically peaks in January through March and September through November. Companies finalize budgets in Q4 and open headcount in Q1. Austin's concentration of Technology and Semiconductors employers creates steady year round demand. Time your search to align with budget cycles for maximum leverage.

The national median for a Physical Therapist is $90,291. In Austin, cost of living adjustments push the median to $93,000. That premium reflects Austin's higher housing, transportation, and everyday costs.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Benefits typically include CEU reimbursement of $1,500 to $3,000, student loan repayment assistance, and health insurance. In Austin's market, these extras can add $23,250 or more on top of the base salary.