How to Become a Physical Therapy Aide in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 5,710 physical therapy aides earning a median $31,590 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most physical therapy aides train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
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Compare Physical Therapy Aide Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarrant County College District | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,928 | 29% | Yes* | 109 mi |
| 2 | McLennan Community College | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $47,348 | Not reported | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 3 | Weatherford College | 51.8 | Contact school for pricing | $59,564 | Not reported | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 4 | Austin Community College District | 49.6 | $2,550 - $15,190 | $57,624 | 19% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 5 | Blinn College District | 40.9 | $4,890 - $15,252 | $53,339 | 11% | Yes* | 114 mi |
| 6 | Navarro College | 38.7 | Contact school for pricing | $46,253 | 23% | Yes* | 99 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Texas employs approximately 5,710 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $31,590 1. The state’s concentration of physical therapy aide jobs is 1.31x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in Texas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 1,280 | $33,060 | $33,680 | $23,460 | $44,210 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 990 | $35,570 | $36,610 | $24,370 | $47,380 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 550 | $28,410 | $32,300 | $22,440 | $49,790 |
| El Paso | 200 | $25,300 | $28,070 | $21,740 | $42,560 |
| Corpus Christi | 190 | $29,080 | $31,920 | $22,450 | $44,760 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 180 | $23,040 | $26,560 | $21,380 | $39,230 |
| Lubbock | 170 | $27,620 | $29,130 | $20,470 | $42,560 |
| Killeen-Temple | 120 | $29,970 | $31,860 | $22,750 | $43,320 |
| Abilene | 70 | $49,790 | $44,090 | $25,890 | $49,790 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 70 | $28,200 | $32,130 | $22,950 | $36,960 |
| Amarillo | 60 | $26,930 | $28,000 | $18,520 | $35,420 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 60 | $23,750 | $27,450 | $20,870 | $38,990 |
| College Station-Bryan | 60 | $26,420 | $28,460 | $18,720 | $35,370 |
| Texarkana | 60 | $32,770 | $35,700 | $23,280 | $52,550 |
| Midland | 50 | $37,020 | $33,860 | $23,290 | $43,410 |
| Odessa | 40 | $26,870 | $26,710 | $21,730 | $34,320 |
| Waco | 40 | $29,660 | $32,950 | $22,730 | $49,790 |
| Wichita Falls | 40 | $28,690 | $29,700 | $21,960 | $35,600 |
| Laredo | 30 | $22,790 | $23,740 | $18,200 | $31,280 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners
- Median wage (Texas): $31,590 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Texas
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as PHYSICAL THERAPIST, PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT. The licensing authority is the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Texas? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Texas is $31,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,520 and experienced professionals can earn $46,710 or more 1.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 1,280 | $33,060 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 990 | $35,570 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 550 | $28,410 |
| El Paso | 200 | $25,300 |
| Corpus Christi | 190 | $29,080 |
How to Become a Physical Therapy Aide in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to physical therapy aides in Texas before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Texas
The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Texas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST | Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who evaluate and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that l… |
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT | Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist once the physical therapist has performed an evaluation and establish… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 5,710 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Texas is $31,590, which is $2,930 below the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners - Licensing Information: https://ptot.texas.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |