Physical Therapist Pay

Charlotte vs Statesville: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$103,546
$49.79/hr
Statesville, NC
$101,507
$48.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCStatesville, NC
Median Salary$103,546$101,507
Hourly Rate$49.79$48.80
Entry Level (P10)$82,829$78,496
25th Percentile$96,384$85,599
75th Percentile$118,208$118,790
Top Earner (P90)$129,284$130,268
Total Employed1,6807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($103,546) and Statesville ($101,507) physical therapist salaries.CharlotteStatesvilleMedian Salary$103,546$101,507Entry Level (P10)$82,829$78,496Top Earner (P90)$129,284$130,268US Median $105,288

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Statesville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Statesville is $2,039 (2.01%). 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,Statesville spans $51,772. Statesville 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
Statesville
P10 (Entry)$78,496
P25$85,599
Median$101,507
P75$118,790
P90 (Top)$130,268

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Statesville ($108,448 effective) pays 1.96% more than Charlotte ($106,367 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $103,546
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $106,367
Statesville
Nominal: $101,507
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $108,448

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)
  • Larger job market (1,680 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Statesville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,268)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,448)
  • 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 Statesville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.0%

$87,100 (2019) → $101,060 (2025)

Statesville, NC

+14.8%

$86,325 (2024) → $99,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Charlotte or Statesville?

Charlotte has a higher median physical therapist salary at $103,546/year, compared to Statesville at $101,507/year — a difference of $2,039 (2.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Statesville?

Charlotte physical therapists earn $49.79/hr while Statesville hygienists earn $48.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Statesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $106,367, Statesville = $108,448), job availability (1,680 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $82,829 in Charlotte and $78,496 in Statesville. 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