Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, NC: $46.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Jacksonville, NC runs $46.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,532 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.1, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,513 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $46.89, which is slightly lower than the national median of $50.62. This rate impacts various employment scenarios, including part-time roles commonly filled by therapists working three days a week or per-diem positions. Typical settings, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and sports performance centers, allow flexibility for physical therapists, enabling them to cater their hours to fit family needs or other commitments. The hourly pay range spans from $36.61 for entry-level positions to $60.14 for top earners, indicating that there are opportunities for growth within the field. The data on hourly pay is sourced from projections for 2026, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.61 | $292.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.40 | $315.17 |
| Median (P50) | $46.89 | $375.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.11 | $416.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.14 | $481.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $46.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.89/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, NC can expect to earn approximately $97,522 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,263. With a cost-of-living index of 92.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,875.43 | $8,127 | $97,522 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,125.26 | $4,876 | $58,513 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $750.17 | $3,251 | $39,009 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Jacksonville) | $46.89 |
| 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 Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $97,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.70% below the North Carolina state average of $102,342.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.89/hr = $58,513/year (purchasing power: $63,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,522/year (purchasing power: $105,905).
CoL index: 92.085 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Jacksonville grew 12.0% from $40.84/hr (2019) to $45.76/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.04/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Jacksonville
For physical therapists working part-time, such as those who log 24 hours a week, annual earnings can vary significantly compared to full-time roles. Depending on the consistency of work and the settings, part-time therapists could take home lower annual earnings while enjoying increased work-life balance. In the realm of per diem work, pay scales can be more lucrative, with rates typically between $50 and $75 per hour. Some travel contracts even range from $1,800 to $2,800 weekly, which significantly ups the earning potential. Various employers in Jacksonville, including outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies, may offer different hourly rates based on benefits and work environments. Therapists often face the trade-off of accepting lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, as opposed to higher pay without such support. When negotiating hourly pay, therapists should focus on their unique skill sets and local demand to secure the best possible compensation in Jacksonville.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Jacksonville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Jacksonville?
Are physical therapists in Jacksonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Jacksonville?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Jacksonville?
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 Jacksonville. 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