Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $49.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Charlotte, NC runs $49.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,546 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,132 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Charlotte, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $49.79, which is slightly below the national median of $50.62. This hourly compensation reflects both full-time and part-time opportunities within various settings, including outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and at-home visits. For those working part-time, such as a typical three-day work week, the income can still be substantial given the strategic scheduling of hours. Entry-level positions start around $39.82, while the top earners can exceed $62.16 hourly, offering a wide range of earning potential across different specialties and experiences in the field.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.82 | $318.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.34 | $370.74 |
| Median (P50) | $49.79 | $398.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.83 | $454.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.16 | $497.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $49.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.79/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $103,553 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,742. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,991.41 | $8,629 | $103,553 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,194.85 | $5,178 | $62,132 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $796.57 | $3,452 | $41,421 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Charlotte) | $49.79 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $103,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.65% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% above the North Carolina state average of $102,318.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.79/hr = $62,132/year (purchasing power: $63,825).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,553/year (purchasing power: $106,375).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Charlotte grew 16.0% from $41.87/hr (2019) to $48.59/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.01/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Charlotte
For a physical therapist working in Charlotte three days a week, the annual earnings amount to around $62,000, which contrasts significantly with a full-time commitment that can average closer to $103,546 annually. Per diem physical therapists frequently earn between $50 and $75 per hour, with lucrative travel contracts potentially bringing in as much as $2,800 a week. Practitioners in various environments, from outpatient orthopedic settings like Athletico to home health agencies, often see hourly rates influenced by the type of employer. While some might opt for lower hourly wages for the benefits of traditional employment, others may prioritize higher hourly earnings with per diem or agency work, leading to a diverse financial landscape for physical therapists in Charlotte. When negotiating hourly rates, consideration of local living costs and the dynamics of health insurance versus higher pay without benefits can help guide their decisions.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Charlotte in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Charlotte?
Are physical therapists in Charlotte paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Charlotte?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Charlotte?
Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Charlotte. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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