Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Winston-Salem, NC: $51.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Winston-Salem, NC runs $51.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,082 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Winston-Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,654 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected to be $51.00 in 2026, which positions it slightly above the national median of $50.62. This rate creates favorable conditions for part-time therapists working about three days a week, offering them flexible schedules in various settings like outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and home health environments. For per-diem or contract workers in the area, Winston-Salem presents an attractive range from entry-level practitioners earning $35.17 to the more experienced therapists reaching up to $69.12 per hour. Given the costs associated with starting a career in physical therapy—including student debt and licensing, these estimates provide both security and opportunity for a rewarding professional life.
About the Winston-Salem 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) | $35.17 | $281.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.37 | $322.95 |
| Median (P50) | $51.00 | $408.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.09 | $488.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.12 | $552.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston-Salem
Based on $51.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.00/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston-Salem, NC can expect to earn approximately $106,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,206. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston-Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston-Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,040.18 | $8,841 | $106,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,224.11 | $5,304 | $63,654 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $816.07 | $3,536 | $42,436 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Winston-Salem) | $51.00 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $106,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.75% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $102,396.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.00/hr = $63,654/year (purchasing power: $68,006).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,090/year (purchasing power: $113,344).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Winston-Salem grew 14.9% from $43.33/hr (2019) to $49.78/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.26/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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
Looking deeper into these figures reveals significant annual earning potentials for part-time physical therapists in Winston-Salem. A physical therapist working 24 hours a week could make approximately $59,928 annually, which, while lower than a full-time colleague, enables work-life balance. For per-diem physical therapists, the ability to choose shifts can lead to earnings between $50-$75 per hour, while travel contracts vary and can yield $1,800 to $2,800 per week. Employment settings significantly influence hourly wages; for example, outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer less than hospital systems, which might provide benefits alongside a slightly reduced hourly rate. Negotiating tips for those in Winston-Salem might include discussing workload expectations and the potential for productivity bonuses, especially in environments where reimbursement cuts from CMS have impacted pay models. Ultimately, balancing hourly pay and benefits in Winston-Salem's varied practice settings is crucial for sustaining a successful career in physical therapy.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Winston-Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Winston-Salem?
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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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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