Physical Therapist Salary in Apex, NC: $103,048 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Apex, NC earns a median $103,048/year (≈ $49.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $110,094 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,048 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $76,400 at the 10th percentile to $131,455 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the evolving market dynamics influenced by the structural choices in rehabilitation settings. While outpatient chains like ATI may offer competitive pay, they often set productivity expectations that can influence earnings. In contrast, hospital systems may provide more stable salaries, often coupled with additional benefits that can enhance overall compensation.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,840 | $42.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,048 | $49.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,517 | $57.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,455 | $63.20 |
Median Salary Position
2.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,055 (2026 est.). At $103,048, the local median is 2.13% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Apex median: $103,048/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,332 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.13% less |
Physical Therapists in Apex, NC earn a median of $103,048 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.13% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $102,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,048 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,094 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,537
2025 BLS Actual
$100,574
2026 Current Est.
$103,048
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,074 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,586 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,641 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,048 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,537 (2019) to $100,574 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,046 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,400 – $88,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,840 – $103,048 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,048 – $119,517 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,517 – $131,455 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Apex
The local job market for physical therapists in Apex, with 16 professionals currently employed, suggests a stable demand for these roles. With a cost-of-living index at 93.6, the economic reality enhances the purchasing power of salaries, allowing healthcare providers to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle despite the differences in pay across various settings. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer competitive wages, but the highest-paying positions are often found within hospital systems and skilled nursing facilities that may provide bonuses or differing productivity incentives. Factors such as board certifications like OCS or SCS, clinic ownership, and whether the practice operates on a cash-pay basis versus traditional insurance can create significant variances in compensation. To maximize their pay in Apex, physical therapists should focus on enhancing their qualifications, understanding the market nuances, and considering roles in settings that align with higher reimbursement rates, ensuring they capitalize on the evolving landscape of physical therapy in NC.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,574 for physical therapistsin the Apex metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apex 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