Physical Therapist Salary in Burlington, NC: $103,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Burlington, NC earns a median $103,608/year (≈ $49.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $111,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Burlington, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $103,608. This figure reflects the growing demand for rehabilitation services and the productivity pressures that therapists often face in their roles. With a salary range spanning from $76,825 at the 10th percentile to $132,553 at the 90th percentile, there is ample opportunity for skilled practitioners to position themselves within this diverse spectrum. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, highlights the region’s competitive market for qualified physical therapists, emphasizing not only the financial rewards but also the expectations to meet increasing visit rates per day across various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,825 | $36.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,566 | $42.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,608 | $49.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,935 | $52.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,553 | $63.73 |
Median Salary Position
1.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,728 (2026 est.). At $103,608, the local median is 1.6% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $103,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,379 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.60% less |
Physical Therapists in Burlington, NC earn a median of $103,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% above the North Carolina state average of $102,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,940
2025 BLS Actual
$101,120
2026 Current Est.
$103,608
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 33.2% from $75,940 (2019) to $101,120 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,216 (39.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $76,825 – $88,566 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,566 – $103,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,608 – $108,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,935 – $132,553 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Burlington
With approximately 100 physical therapists currently employed in Burlington, the local job market shows promising stability. The cost of living index at 93.196 indicates that living expenses are somewhat lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of practitioners in the area. Those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Burlington, NC, should consider opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab, as these tend to offer more competitive salaries. Factors such as productivity metrics, board certifications (e.g., OCS, SCS), and the clinic’s business model—whether cash-pay or insurance-based—play significant roles in driving residency income levels. To increase compensation potential, therapists should strategically pursue certifications, enhance productivity through optimized visit management, and explore employment at facilities known for higher pay scales amidst the evolving landscape of healthcare reimbursement.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Burlington, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Burlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Burlington?
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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 $101,120 for physical therapistsin the Burlington 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
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