Physical Therapist in Round Rock, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Round Rock Stands

Living and working in Round Rock as a Physical Therapist (PT) means you’re in a strong position. The city’s cost of living is slightly below the national average, yet the earning potential is robust. The median salary for a Physical Therapist in Round Rock is $98,992/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.59/hour. This puts you just a hair below the national average of $99,710/year, but in a market where your money goes further.

For context, the Austin-Round Rock metro area has approximately 263 Physical Therapist jobs, and the 10-year job growth projection is a healthy 14%. This growth is fueled by the region's expanding population, especially the influx of families and retirees, and the prevalence of sports-related injuries in a community with a high concentration of amateur athletics.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the local market. Note that these are estimates based on local job postings and industry data for the metro area.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary (Round Rock)	Key Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$78,000 - $88,000	Often starts in outpatient orthopedics or home health. May require working in less desirable shifts or locations.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$90,000 - $108,000	The sweet spot for most PTs. You have the experience for hospital roles or specialized outpatient clinics.
Senior (8-15 years)	$105,000 - $125,000	Often involves clinical specializations (OCS, NCS), management, or hospital-based leadership roles.
Expert (15+ years)	$115,000 - $140,000+	Typically seen in academia, high-level private practice ownership, or as a director of a large rehab department.

Comparison to Other Texas Cities:

• Austin: Salaries are slightly higher ($101,000 - $105,000 median), but the cost of living is significantly steeper, especially for housing. The commute from Round Rock to central Austin can be brutal, so the salary bump may not be worth the time and expense.
• Dallas-Fort Worth: The DFW metro is larger, with more hospital systems and competition. Salaries are comparable to Round Rock ($98,000 - $103,000 median), but the overall cost of living is also higher.
• San Antonio: Salaries trend lower ($94,000 - $98,000 median), but the cost of living is one of the lowest among major Texas metros. It’s a different market, often with more military and geriatric care opportunities.

Insider Tip: The $98,992 median is a solid anchor. In Round Rock, you can often negotiate for better benefits (like higher 401k match, student loan repayment, or more PTO) rather than a massive salary increase, especially at larger hospital systems.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about what you take home. We’ll use the median salary of $98,992 for this breakdown, assuming you’re single and file as a single filer (0 dependents) for tax purposes.

Monthly Take-Home Pay Calculation:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $98,992 / 12 = $8,249.33
• Taxes (Federal, FICA, State): ~$2,150 (Est. 26% effective rate for this bracket in Texas)
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$6,100

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR Average): -$1,635
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): -$250
• Car Payment & Insurance (Public transit is limited): -$500
• Groceries & Household: -$400
• Health Insurance (Employer-Subsidized): -$150
• Student Loan Payments: -$300 (Varies widely)
• Discretionary (Dining, Entertainment, etc.): -$1,000
• Savings/Retirement: $1,865

Can You Buy a Home?
Yes, but it requires careful planning. The median home price in Round Rock is roughly $425,000. With a 20% down payment ($85,000), a monthly mortgage (at ~7%) would be around $2,300, including taxes and insurance.

Analysis: On a single income of $98,992, buying a home is tight but feasible if you have savings for the down payment and are willing to budget. A $2,300 mortgage would eat up about 38% of your take-home pay, which is pushing the recommended 30% guideline. It’s more manageable if you have a partner with a second income or if you start with a cheaper condo/townhome in the $250k-$300k range. Many local PTs in Round Rock are dual-income households, which makes homeownership significantly easier.

Where the Jobs Are: Round Rock's Major Employers

Round Rock’s healthcare ecosystem is anchored by a few key players. The job market is competitive, but turnover is relatively low in the hospital sector. Here are the primary employers for Physical Therapists:

1. St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center (HCA): This is the city's main hospital. They host a busy inpatient rehab unit, orthopedic floors, and a large outpatient PT clinic. Hiring is steady, often for both inpatient and outpatient roles. They value experience in acute care and neurological rehab.
2. Ascension Seton Williamson: Located in nearby Georgetown, this is the other major hospital system serving the area. It has a strong focus on orthopedics and sports medicine. Commute from Round Rock is 10-15 minutes. They often look for PTs with OCS certification.
3. Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Round Rock: Part of the massive Baylor Scott & White network, this clinic focuses on outpatient orthopedics and sports rehab. It’s a high-volume setting. Hiring trends show a preference for PTs who can manage heavy caseloads efficiently.
4. Round Rock Physical Therapy (Private Practice): A well-known local private practice with multiple locations. They specialize in sports medicine and orthopedic PT. This is a great place for mid-career PTs who want more autonomy and a team-based, outpatient-focused environment.
5. Rehab Select (Multiple Locations): A regional provider of outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They have a clinic in Round Rock and are known for strong orthopedic and pediatric programs. They offer a good balance of clinical work and administrative support.
6. Home Health Agencies (AccentCare, Encompass Health): The home health sector is booming in the Austin metro. PTs in these roles visit patients in their homes across Round Rock, Georgetown, and Hutto. It offers flexibility and higher pay (often $105k+), but requires independent time management and strong documentation skills.
7. School Districts (Round Rock ISD): The local school district employs PTs for early childhood intervention and special education programs. These roles are highly sought after for their summers off and pension benefits, but positions are limited and require a pediatric specialization.

Insider Tip: Many of these employers post jobs on local boards like the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) Career Center rather than national sites. Networking at TPTA local meetings is a key strategy.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has clear, structured requirements for PT licensure, administered by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (TBPTE).

Requirements:

1. Education: Graduate from a CAPTE-accredited PT program (Doctor of Physical Therapy - DPT).
2. Examination: Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTs.
3. Jurisprudence Exam: Pass the Texas Jurisprudence Assessment Module (XJAM), which is an open-book, online test on Texas laws and rules.
4. Background Check: Complete a fingerprint-based criminal history check.

Timeline & Costs:

• From NPTE to License: The process can take 6-8 weeks after submitting a complete application. If you already have a license from another state, you can apply for compact privilege if Texas is part of the PT Compact (which it is). This is much faster (2-4 weeks).
• Total Estimated Cost:
  • NPTE Exam Fee: $485 (paid to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy - FSBPT)
  • TX License Application Fee: $110
  • Jurisprudence Exam Fee: $50
  • Fingerprinting Fee: ~$50
  • Total: ~$695 (excluding travel to testing sites).

Insider Tip: If you're moving from another state, start the licensure process 3 months before your intended start date. Texas is part of the PT Compact, so if you hold a license in another compact state (like Arizona, Colorado, or Florida), you can practice in Texas almost immediately after submitting your compact privilege application.

Best Neighborhoods for Physical Therapists

Where you live in Round Rock greatly impacts your commute and lifestyle. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Downtown Round Rock	Charming, walkable area near Main Street. Close to St. David’s hospital. Can be noisy.	$1,500 - $1,700	PTs who work at St. David’s and want a short, 5-minute commute.
Forest Creek	Quiet, established suburb in north Round Rock. Family-friendly, near parks. Commute to major employers is 10-15 mins.	$1,650 - $1,850	Mid-career PTs looking for a peaceful home base, possibly with a family.
Teravista	Master-planned community in the northeast part of the city. Modern amenities, golf courses, and newer schools.	$1,700 - $1,900	PTs who want a resort-style living experience and don’t mind a 15-20 min commute.
The Oaks at Round Rock	Affordable apartment complexes in central Round Rock. Close to shopping and dining.	$1,400 - $1,600	New grads or early-career PTs looking to maximize savings. Very central location.
Brushy Creek	Large, deed-restricted community with pools and trails. Good for biking and outdoor activity.	$1,600 - $1,800	Active PTs who want a community feel and don’t mind a 15-minute commute.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-35 is notoriously bad. If you work at St. David’s, live south of the I-35/SH-45 flyover to avoid the worst of it. If you work at the Baylor clinic in the north, living in Forest Creek or Teravista is ideal.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Round Rock is a great place to build a long-term career, not just a job.

Specialty Premiums & Advancement Paths:

• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS): The most valued specialty in the outpatient and hospital settings. Can add $5k-$10k to your salary. Essential for roles at Baylor and private practices.
• Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS): Highly needed in inpatient rehab (St. David’s, Ascension Seton). Critical for career advancement into rehab unit management.
• Sports Physical Therapy: Not a formal certification, but experience and advanced courses (like from the APTA) can open doors to working with high school, college, and semi-pro teams in the area (e.g., Round Rock Express baseball, local university sports).
• Pelvic Health & Pediatric Specialties: These are underserved markets in the Austin metro. Starting a niche practice or joining a clinic that offers these services can be very lucrative.
• Management/Leadership: After 7-10 years, paths include becoming a Clinical Director (overseeing a clinic), a Rehab Manager (hospital setting), or moving into education (adjunct faculty at nearby Texas State University’s DPT program in Round Rock).

10-Year Outlook:
The 14% job growth is real. The aging population and a growing focus on value-based care (preventing hospital readmissions) will drive demand. Technology like telehealth PT and wearable sensors will become more common. The most successful PTs will be those who blend hands-on manual therapy skills with tech-savvy patient education and outcome tracking. The Austin-Round Rock metro will remain a hotbed for healthcare innovation, but competition will also increase as more DPTs graduate.

The Verdict: Is Round Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong salary-to-cost-of-living ratio. Your $98,992 goes further here than in Austin or Dallas.	Traffic congestion. The I-35 corridor is a major bottleneck. Commute times can be unpredictable.
Stable, diverse job market with major hospitals and private practices.	Limited public transportation. A car is non-negotiable.
Excellent work-life balance in a family-friendly city with great parks and schools.	Summers are brutally hot. June-September is often over 100°F, limiting outdoor activity.
Proximity to Austin for entertainment and nightlife without the Austin price tag.	Growing pains. Rapid population growth is straining infrastructure (roads, schools).
Part of the broader, dynamic Austin metro economy.	Less diverse specialty options compared to a major city like Houston or Dallas.

Final Recommendation:
Round Rock is an excellent choice for a Physical Therapist, especially if you are in the mid-career stage or planning to start a family. It offers a stable, in-demand career path with a salary that affords a comfortable lifestyle. The key is to manage your housing expectations and commute. If you value a suburban, community-oriented environment with easy access to a major city’s amenities (Austin), Round Rock is hard to beat. It’s not a place for a young, single PT who craves a dense urban nightlife, but for building a career and a life, it’s a top-tier Texas option.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Round Rock?
Yes, absolutely. Round Rock is a sprawling suburban city. Public transit (CapMetro) exists but is not practical for daily commuting to work or clinics. Nearly all healthcare employers assume you have reliable personal transportation.

2. Is it easy to switch from inpatient to outpatient PT in Round Rock?
Yes, relatively. The presence of multiple hospital systems and outpatient clinics means there are opportunities in both settings. The best time to switch is during the summer or early fall, when hiring picks up. Having your OCS can make the switch to outpatient easier.

3. How is the physical therapist community in Round Rock?
It’s active but smaller than in Austin proper. The Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) North Central District (which includes Round Rock) holds regular meetings and continuing education events. Joining this chapter is the best way to network and stay connected. Many PTs also commute to Austin for broader networking events.

4. Are there opportunities for side gigs or cash-based PT services?
Yes. The demand for niche services like cash-based pelvic floor therapy, performance training for athletes, or specialized vestibular rehab is growing. Many PTs in the area supplement their income with part-time home health or by starting a small side practice, but check with your employer’s non-compete clauses first.

5. What’s the healthcare scene like for my own family?
Very strong. Round Rock is served by St. David’s and Ascension Seton, with major specialty care (like Dell Children’s and Dell Seton) in nearby Austin. The cost of health insurance for a family will vary by employer, but the network is robust.