Physical Therapist Pay

Holly Springs vs Raleigh: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Holly Springs, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Holly Springs, NC
$98,766
$47.48/hr
Raleigh, NC
$102,358
$49.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHolly Springs, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$98,766$102,358
Hourly Rate$47.48$49.21
Entry Level (P10)$80,025$80,421
25th Percentile$83,789$87,419
75th Percentile$116,218$113,464
Top Earner (P90)$127,301$130,667
Total Employed101,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Holly Springs ($98,766) and Raleigh ($102,358) physical therapist salaries.Holly SpringsRaleighMedian Salary$98,766$102,358Entry Level (P10)$80,025$80,421Top Earner (P90)$127,301$130,667US Median $105,288

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Holly Springs.

The salary gap between Holly Springs and Raleigh is $3,592 (3.64%). Raleigh's median is -2.78% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Holly Springs spans $47,276,Raleigh spans $50,246. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Holly Springs
P10 (Entry)$80,025
P25$83,789
Median$98,766
P75$116,218
P90 (Top)$127,301
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$80,421
P25$87,419
Median$102,358
P75$113,464
P90 (Top)$130,667

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Holly Springs ($105,519 effective) pays 1.19% more than Raleigh ($104,280 effective).

Holly Springs
Nominal: $98,766
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $105,519
Raleigh
Nominal: $102,358
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $104,280

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Holly Springs if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,519)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,358/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,667)
  • Larger job market (1,190 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Holly Springs grew 14.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Holly Springs, NC

+14.8%

$83,994 (2024) → $96,395 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+18.6%

$84,240 (2019) → $99,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Holly Springs or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median physical therapist salary at $102,358/year, compared to Holly Springs at $98,766/year — a difference of $3,592 (3.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Holly Springs and Raleigh?

Holly Springs physical therapists earn $47.48/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $49.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Holly Springs to Raleigh as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Holly Springs and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Holly Springs = $105,519, Raleigh = $104,280), job availability (10 vs 1,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Holly Springs vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $80,025 in Holly Springs and $80,421 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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