PA Salary

DeSoto vs Houston: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between DeSoto, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

DeSoto, TX
$137,662
$66.19/hr
Houston, TX
$141,796
$68.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeSoto, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$137,662$141,796
Hourly Rate$66.19$68.17
Entry Level (P10)$98,296$93,939
25th Percentile$119,536$113,642
75th Percentile$162,859$165,715
Top Earner (P90)$199,548$173,826
Total Employed92,390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing DeSoto ($137,662) and Houston ($141,796) physician assistant salaries.DeSotoHoustonMedian Salary$137,662$141,796Entry Level (P10)$98,296$93,939Top Earner (P90)$199,548$173,826US Median $140,391

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to DeSoto.

The salary gap between DeSoto and Houston is $4,134 (3.00%). Houston's median is +1.00% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in DeSoto spans $101,252,Houston spans $79,887. DeSoto has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

DeSoto
P10 (Entry)$98,296
P25$119,536
Median$137,662
P75$162,859
P90 (Top)$199,548
Houston
P10 (Entry)$93,939
P25$113,642
Median$141,796
P75$165,715
P90 (Top)$173,826

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($143,767 effective) pays 0.26% more than DeSoto ($143,398 effective).

DeSoto
Nominal: $137,662
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $143,398
Houston
Nominal: $141,796
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $143,767

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose DeSoto if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($199,548)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,796/year)
  • Larger job market (2,390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,767)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in DeSoto grew 10.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Houston over the same period.

DeSoto, TX

+10.8%

$120,287 (2024) → $133,238 (2025)

Houston, TX

+17.0%

$117,330 (2019) → $137,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: DeSoto or Houston?

Houston has a higher median physician assistant salary at $141,796/year, compared to DeSoto at $137,662/year — a difference of $4,134 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between DeSoto and Houston?

DeSoto physician assistants earn $66.19/hr while Houston hygienists earn $68.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from DeSoto to Houston as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing DeSoto and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: DeSoto = $143,398, Houston = $143,767), job availability (9 vs 2,390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in DeSoto vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $98,296 in DeSoto and $93,939 in Houston. The DeSoto area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov