Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $76,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Jacksonville, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,138 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 92.1 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,682 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,532) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapy field in Jacksonville, NC can expect starting salaries around $76,138 in 2026. For new grad physical therapists, this entry-level pay does present a notable gap compared to the city's overall median salary of $97,532. Through the first few years of their career, individuals can aim for salary growth from entry-level pay to approximately $81,948 at the 25th percentile, and potentially reaching the median as they gain experience. Jacksonville, with its steady annual growth rate of 2.46%, represents a promising market for new therapists, particularly as demand for services continues to expand, creating opportunities that can bridge this initial salary gap.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
Entry-level physical therapists in Jacksonville, NC typically start between $76,138 and $81,948 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,955 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,532 — 7.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in North Carolina of $100,000 represents just 131.34% of the starting physical therapist pay ($76,138/year) in Jacksonville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $76,138 to $81,948, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Jacksonville is $48,955 ( 64.30%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,138, experienced hygienists can earn up to $125,093.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,530
2025 BLS Actual
$74,310
2026 Current Est.
$76,138
2019–2027 Growth
+12.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,011 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, NC grew 6.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,530 in 2019 to $74,310 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,011. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, several key employers are on the lookout for newly licensed physical therapists, with outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Athletico often providing the most entry-level opportunities. Many of these organizations feature structured productivity models that allow early-career therapists to accrue bonuses based on performance, although they often start at slightly lower pay compared to hospital systems. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities such as Genesis and RehabCare tend to offer more competitive pay along with the potential for career advancement. For those starting out, possessing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing the NPTE are essential steps, while board certifications like Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) can further enhance earning potential. In this early phase, it's realistic to anticipate annual salary growth as new graduates become familiar with clinical practice, addressing the increasing pressures from reimbursement cuts and evolving productivity expectations within the healthcare environment.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Jacksonville in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Jacksonville?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Jacksonville?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Jacksonville?
How do I become a physical therapist in North Carolina?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Jacksonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov