Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Huntersville, NC: $49.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Huntersville, NC runs $49.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,454 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Huntersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,068 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Huntersville, North Carolina, command a median hourly pay of $49.73, which is just slightly below the national median of $50.62. This pay scale is reflective of the diverse settings where physical therapists operate, including outpatient clinic gyms, hospital rehabilitation units, and skilled nursing facilities. For therapists working part-time or per diem—common arrangements in the field—these hourly rates can significantly impact their take-home earnings. With a range from $35.74 at the entry-level to up to $63.84 for the highest earners, many therapists find flexible work arrangements appealing as they transition between different facilities or focus on specialized treatment areas such as sports performance or pediatric therapy. The figures are derived from annual salary data estimates, providing an essential context for understanding compensation in this vital healthcare profession.
About the Huntersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.74 | $285.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.12 | $344.92 |
| Median (P50) | $49.73 | $397.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.92 | $463.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.84 | $510.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntersville
Based on $49.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.73/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $103,447 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,681. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,989.36 | $8,621 | $103,447 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,193.62 | $5,172 | $62,068 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $795.75 | $3,448 | $41,379 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Huntersville) | $49.73 |
| 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 Huntersville, NC earn a median of $103,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.10% above the North Carolina state average of $102,328.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.73/hr = $62,068/year (purchasing power: $66,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,447/year (purchasing power: $110,520).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Huntersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Huntersville grew 14.9% from $42.25/hr (2019) to $48.54/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.96/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 Huntersville 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 Huntersville
Part-time physical therapists, averaging around 24 hours per week, may see their earnings yield an annual income that falls below that of their full-time counterparts. When considering per diem roles, where pay can range significantly, therapists can earn anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour, compelling some to pursue temporary positions with travel contracts that may net $1,800 to $2,800 per week. Employer types in Huntersville also influence hourly wages; outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer lower rates compared to hospital inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facility environments. Factors such as healthcare benefits can drive therapists to accept reduced hourly pay for more stable employment or greater job security—an aspect worth considering during salary negotiations. Therapists should assess personal priorities and be ready to negotiate based on their unique skills and the specific demands of various facilities within NC.
More salary data for Huntersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Huntersville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Huntersville?
Are physical therapists in Huntersville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Huntersville?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Huntersville?
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 Huntersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huntersville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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