Physical Therapist Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $97,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $97,532/year (≈ $46.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $105,915 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, NC, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $97,532 in 2026, reflecting the local job market's structure driven primarily by outpatient clinics rather than hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. The salary range indicates a wide disparity, with the lowest earners making around $76,138 and the top tier potentially earning up to $125,093. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which provide insights into local compensation dynamics. Compared to the national median of $105,288, the physical therapist salary in Jacksonville underscores the area's competitive position, though it does fall short by about 7.37%. This market insight could influence employment choices and professional development paths for those considering careers in physical therapy within this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,138 | $36.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,948 | $39.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,532 | $46.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,392 | $52.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,093 | $60.14 |
Median Salary Position
7.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,955 (2026 est.). At $97,532, the local median is 7.37% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $97,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,342 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.37% less |
Physical Therapists in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $97,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.70% below the North Carolina state average of $102,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,915 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.6% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,950
2025 BLS Actual
$95,190
2026 Current Est.
$97,532
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,931 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 12.1% from $84,950 (2019) to $95,190 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,981 (17.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $76,138 – $81,948 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,948 – $97,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,532 – $108,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,392 – $125,093 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Jacksonville
In evaluating the job market specifically for physical therapist pay in Jacksonville, it’s significant to observe that currently around 80 professionals are employed in this field locally. With a cost-of-living index of 92.085, Jacksonville offers relative affordability, enhancing the purchasing power of local physical therapists. Among the various employment avenues, outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Athletico tend to offer competitive pay structures, often balanced by productivity expectations and incentives. Factors such as board certifications (e.g., OCS, SCS) can lead to pay premiums, while clinic ownership and cash-pay models may elevate earnings for savvy practitioners. To maximize income, professionals should focus on specialty certifications, optimize their productivity, and explore diverse practice settings. Understanding these nuances can significantly enhance how much do physical therapists make in Jacksonville, ultimately informing career choices in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Jacksonville, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Jacksonville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Jacksonville?
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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 $95,190 for physical therapistsin the Jacksonville 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