Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $50.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Hickory, NC runs $50.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,458 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,669 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $50.22, slightly below the national median of $50.62. This hourly rate offers flexibility for those in part-time roles or per-diem positions, which are common within outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and home health contexts. Physical therapists in Hickory can expect to see entry-level hourly rates starting around $38.76, while more experienced professionals can command rates up to $60.70 per hour. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the potential earning landscape for physical therapist hourly pay in Hickory and reflecting the competitive nature of the profession in NC.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.76 | $310.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.43 | $363.45 |
| Median (P50) | $50.22 | $401.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.42 | $435.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.70 | $485.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $50.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.22/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $104,449 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,259. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,008.63 | $8,704 | $104,449 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,205.18 | $5,222 | $62,669 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $803.45 | $3,482 | $41,779 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Hickory) | $50.22 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $104,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% above the North Carolina state average of $102,309.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.22/hr = $62,669/year (purchasing power: $70,824).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,449/year (purchasing power: $118,040).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Hickory grew 16.2% from $42.18/hr (2019) to $49.01/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.45/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
For physical therapists working part-time—such as a 3-day workweek totaling 24 hours—the annual take-home pay significantly differs from full-time earnings. Typically, a part-time PT might earn around $62,688 per year, while full-time counterparts see average yearly figures closer to $104,458. Per diem physical therapist pay in Hickory typically ranges between $50 to $75 per hour, a notable contrast to the potential weekly earnings for traveling PTs, which can vary from $1,800 to $2,800, including stipends. Specialty practices, especially in higher-cost living markets, have cash-pay models allowing rates of $150 to $250 per hour, reflecting a trend among therapists seeking independence from traditional insurance models. Hourly pay differs across employer types, with outpatient clinics often offering lower wages compared to hospitals but providing advantages such as consistent hours and productivity bonuses. Negotiation is critical; understanding the local market, aligning with professional standards set by the APTA and considering benefits versus higher pay without insurance can inform decisions.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Hickory in 2026?
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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 Hickory. 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