Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $49.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Durham, NC runs $49.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,706 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,621 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, physical therapists earn a median hourly pay of $49.38, which is slightly lower than the national median of $50.62. This pay structure provides a meaningful opportunity for part-time and per-diem positions within various therapy settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the financial compensation can still be substantial given the high demand for physical therapists in the area. The hourly range for entry-level therapists starts at $39.76, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $62.01 per hour. These figures are derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving compensation landscape for physical therapists in the region.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.76 | $318.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.80 | $318.36 |
| Median (P50) | $49.38 | $395.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.01 | $416.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.01 | $496.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $49.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.38/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $102,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,251. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,975.02 | $8,558 | $102,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,185.01 | $5,135 | $61,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $790.01 | $3,423 | $41,080 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Durham) | $49.38 |
| 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 Durham, NC earn a median of $102,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $102,399.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.38/hr = $61,621/year (purchasing power: $63,154).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,701/year (purchasing power: $105,257).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Durham grew 29.8% from $37.12/hr (2019) to $48.19/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.59/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 Durham 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 Durham
Furthermore, the earning potential for part-time physical therapists in Durham can differ substantially when compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, working 24 hours a week at $49.38 per hour allows for an annual take-home of approximately $61,000, showcasing a viable income while maintaining flexibility. In the evolving realm of per diem work, physical therapists often leverage higher rates, typically billing between $50 to $75 per hour, with travel contracts reaching $1,800 to $2,800 a week. However, hourly rates can fluctuate based on the employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often offering lower compensation compared to hospital systems that may provide more comprehensive benefits. Negotiating for desirable terms, particularly when balancing health insurance against higher pay without benefits, is critical for physical therapists operating in this competitive market. Understanding the nuances of the physical therapist hourly rate across different settings in Durham is essential for making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Durham in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Durham?
Are physical therapists in Durham paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Durham?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Durham?
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
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 Durham. 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