Physical Therapist Salary in Gastonia, NC: $101,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Gastonia, NC earns a median $101,338/year (≈ $48.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $108,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Gastonia, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,338, slightly below the national median of $105,288. The local salary range spans from $76,935 at the 10th percentile to $131,398 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential that reflects varying levels of experience and productivity. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost variations, indicating the financial landscape for physical therapist pay in Gastonia NC is shaped by both demand and cost-of-living factors. With only 16 physical therapists employed in the area, job competition may remain relatively stable, affecting salary negotiations and growth opportunities.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,935 | $36.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,934 | $40.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,338 | $48.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,041 | $57.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,398 | $63.18 |
Median Salary Position
3.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,463 (2026 est.). At $101,338, the local median is 3.75% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $101,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,362 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.75% less |
Physical Therapists in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $101,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.00% below the North Carolina state average of $102,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,338 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,085
2025 BLS Actual
$98,905
2026 Current Est.
$101,338
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,085 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,596 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,033 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,969 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,905 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,831 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,085 (2019) to $98,905 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,831 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,746 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $76,935 – $84,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,934 – $101,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,338 – $119,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,041 – $131,398 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Gastonia
For professionals in Gastonia, the local cost of living index of 93.6 plays a significant role in determining take-home purchasing power. This affordability may attract recent graduates or those considering relocation, but it also emphasizes the importance of maximizing earnings through specific strategies. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer competitive pay, especially those under larger chains like Athletico or ATI, but some hospital and skilled nursing facilities might provide higher salaries due to budget allocations for inpatient rehab services. Earnings in this role can vary widely, driven by factors such as unit productivity, levels of board certification, and whether a therapist operates within a cash-pay or insurance model. To enhance financial outcomes, pursuing additional certifications like OCS or SCS, targeting high-need practice settings, and negotiating contracts from a position of knowledge can ultimately lead to significant salary advancement in Gastonia's evolving market.
More salary data for Gastonia, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Gastonia, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Gastonia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Gastonia?
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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 $98,905 for physical therapistsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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