Physical Therapist Salary in North Carolina: $102,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $102,466/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,472 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Winston-Salem ($103,535), Rocky Mount ($103,030), Concord ($102,713).
In 2026, physical therapists in North Carolina will earn an average median salary of $102,466, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a difference of -2.7%. The highest paying city in the state is Winston-Salem, where salaries are projected to reach $106,082, while Goldsboro ranks as the lowest at $91,405, creating a significant gap of $14,677. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for services in urban versus rural areas, as well as differences in cost of living and local healthcare infrastructure. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements that candidates must meet, including passing a national exam and fulfilling education standards. The state’s scope of practice laws allow for a broad range of services, which enhances job opportunities. Factors such as an aging population, increased awareness of physical therapy benefits, and the growing prevalence of chronic conditions are driving demand for physical therapists. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.46%, the job market for physical therapists in North Carolina is expected to remain strong. Currently, there are approximately 6,804 professionals employed in this field, indicating a stable environment for those entering the profession or seeking advancement.
North Carolina Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $73,171 (lowest entry-level) to $143,767 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina physical therapists earn 2.68% less than the national median ($-2,822/year difference).
North Carolina Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in North Carolina range from $80,433 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $128,919 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,466. The North Carolina median is $2,822 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $49.26/hr. Approximately 6,804 physical therapists are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,661
2025 BLS Actual
$100,006
2026 Current Est.
$102,466
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,777 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,427 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,474 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,764 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,006 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.4% from $86,661 (2019) to $100,006 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,325 (21.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Goldsboro | $91,405 |
| Leland | $95,050 |
| Carrboro | $96,474 |
| Pinehurst | $96,722 |
| Indian Trail | $96,852 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | $105,565 | 88.012 | $119,944 |
| Hickory | $104,458 | 88.486 | $118,050 |
| Greenville | $100,431 | 88.402 | $113,607 |
| Winston-Salem | $106,082 | 93.6 | $113,335 |
| Winston | $103,761 | 92.043 | $112,731 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,433 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $102,466 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $128,919 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston-Salem | $106,082 |
| 2 | Rocky Mount | $105,565 |
| 3 | Concord | $105,240 |
| 4 | Hickory | $104,458 |
| 5 | Winston | $103,761 |
| 6 | Burlington | $103,608 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $103,565 |
| 8 | Charlotte | $103,546 |
| 9 | Huntersville | $103,454 |
| 10 | Kannapolis | $103,292 |
| 11 | Apex | $103,048 |
| 12 | Durham | $102,706 |
| 13 | Fayetteville | $102,583 |
| 14 | Raleigh | $102,358 |
| 15 | Asheville | $101,927 |
| 16 | Cary | $101,870 |
| 17 | Greensboro | $101,763 |
| 18 | Statesville | $101,507 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $101,419 |
| 20 | Gastonia | $101,338 |
| 21 | Wilmington | $101,200 |
| 22 | Matthews | $101,181 |
| 23 | Cornelius | $101,006 |
| 24 | Sanford | $100,919 |
| 25 | Wake Forest | $100,917 |
| 26 | Morrisville | $100,872 |
| 27 | Fuquay-Varina | $100,601 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $100,585 |
| 29 | Greenville | $100,431 |
| 30 | Thomasville | $100,419 |
| 31 | New Bern | $100,379 |
| 32 | Mint Hill | $100,355 |
| 33 | High Point | $100,196 |
| 34 | Holly Springs | $98,766 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $98,457 |
| 36 | Monroe | $98,417 |
| 37 | Garner | $98,195 |
| 38 | Wilson | $98,123 |
| 39 | Boone | $97,698 |
| 40 | Jacksonville | $97,532 |
| 41 | Indian Trail | $96,852 |
| 42 | Pinehurst | $96,722 |
| 43 | Carrboro | $96,474 |
| 44 | Leland | $95,050 |
| 45 | Goldsboro | $91,405 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in North Carolina?
How many physical therapists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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