Physical Therapist Pay

Charlotte vs Morrisville: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Morrisville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$103,546
$49.79/hr
Morrisville, NC
$100,872
$48.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCMorrisville, NC
Median Salary$103,546$100,872
Hourly Rate$49.79$48.49
Entry Level (P10)$82,829$76,834
25th Percentile$96,384$84,277
75th Percentile$118,208$115,148
Top Earner (P90)$129,284$124,317
Total Employed1,6805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($103,546) and Morrisville ($100,872) physical therapist salaries.CharlotteMorrisvilleMedian Salary$103,546$100,872Entry Level (P10)$82,829$76,834Top Earner (P90)$129,284$124,317US Median $105,288

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Morrisville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Morrisville is $2,674 (2.65%). Charlotte's median is -1.65% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $46,455,Morrisville spans $47,483. Morrisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$82,829
P25$96,384
Median$103,546
P75$118,208
P90 (Top)$129,284
Morrisville
P10 (Entry)$76,834
P25$84,277
Median$100,872
P75$115,148
P90 (Top)$124,317

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morrisville ($107,769 effective) pays 1.32% more than Charlotte ($106,367 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $103,546
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $106,367
Morrisville
Nominal: $100,872
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $107,769

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,546/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,284)
  • Larger job market (1,680 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Morrisville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,769)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Charlotte grew 16.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Morrisville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.0%

$87,100 (2019) → $101,060 (2025)

Morrisville, NC

+14.8%

$85,784 (2024) → $98,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Charlotte or Morrisville?

Charlotte has a higher median physical therapist salary at $103,546/year, compared to Morrisville at $100,872/year — a difference of $2,674 (2.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Morrisville?

Charlotte physical therapists earn $49.79/hr while Morrisville hygienists earn $48.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Morrisville as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Morrisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $106,367, Morrisville = $107,769), job availability (1,680 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Charlotte vs Morrisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $82,829 in Charlotte and $76,834 in Morrisville. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% 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 Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov