Physical Therapist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $103,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $103,565/year (≈ $49.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $110,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $103,565. This figure places Chapel Hill slightly below the national median of $105,288, indicating a competitive local market for therapists despite a relatively lower pay scale. Salaries in the region span a wide range, from $75,364 at the 10th percentile to $140,697 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied employment settings. Physical therapists in Chapel Hill may find that the type of employer significantly impacts salary; outpatient chains often provide different compensation structures compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. As the job market develops, understanding these dynamics will be essential for professionals navigating their career paths in this area.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,364 | $36.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,274 | $40.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,565 | $49.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,318 | $58.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,697 | $67.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,333 (2026 est.). At $103,565, the local median is 1.64% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $103,565/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,336 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.64% less |
Physical Therapists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $103,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.64% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% above the North Carolina state average of $102,336.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,565 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,976
2025 BLS Actual
$101,078
2026 Current Est.
$103,565
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,976 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,078 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,898 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,078 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,112 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,976 (2019) to $101,078 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,112 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,136 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $75,364 – $84,274 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,274 – $103,565 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,565 – $121,318 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,318 – $140,697 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Chapel Hill
Looking at the job market, Chapel Hill employs nine physical therapists, which signals a compact but specialized local industry. The cost of living index of 93.6 indicates that the expenses are generally below the national average, allowing for relatively better purchasing power with the local pay scales. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like ATI and Athletico, tend to pay competitively but might offer lower base salaries offset by productivity bonuses and incentives. A significant factor driving salary variations is the expectations around productivity, such as units per visit and visits per day. Board certifications like OCS or SCS can potentially increase pay through stipends or elevated job titles. Therefore, focusing on maximizing skills via specialization or cash-pay models, as opposed to traditional insurance routes, can be advantageous for those looking to enhance their physical therapist pay in Chapel Hill, NC.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Chapel Hill, NC in 2026?
Is Chapel Hill, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Chapel Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Chapel Hill?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $101,078 for physical therapistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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