Physical Therapist Salary in Leland, NC: $95,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Leland, NC earns a median $95,050/year (≈ $45.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $101,549 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The projected median annual salary for physical therapists in Leland, NC, is $95,050, representing a competitive figure compared to the national median of $105,288. The salary range spans from $78,359 for the lower 10th percentile to $117,722 for the upper 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, with regional adjustments reflecting Leland's cost of living. This figure suggests that therapy professionals in the area should anticipate productivity expectations influencing their compensation, particularly given the pressure related to visits per day. As demand for physical therapy services continues to grow, the Leland market presents an evolving opportunity for both newcomers and seasoned therapists.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,359 | $37.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,249 | $40.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,050 | $45.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,216 | $53.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,722 | $56.60 |
Median Salary Position
9.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,363 (2026 est.). At $95,050, the local median is 9.72% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leland Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Leland median: $95,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,314 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -9.72% less |
Physical Therapists in Leland, NC earn a median of $95,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.72% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $102,314.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland 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.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $95,050 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,549 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,743
2025 BLS Actual
$92,768
2026 Current Est.
$95,050
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,161 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,322 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,015 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,743 (2019) to $92,768 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,645 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $78,359 – $83,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,249 – $95,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,050 – $111,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,216 – $117,722 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Leland
The local job market in Leland includes just six employed physical therapists, which indicates a relatively niche but potentially supportive community. The cost of living index sits at 93.6, below the national average, suggesting that the effective take-home pay for therapists may stretch further in this area compared to more expensive regions. Among potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico, along with hospital systems, typically offer the most competitive pay. Factors driving the range in compensation include the number of patient visits expected, specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance practice models. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Leland, focusing on productivity-based bonuses, developing specialty certifications, and aligning with high-paying employers will likely be key strategies.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Leland, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Leland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Leland?
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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 $92,768 for physical therapistsin the Leland 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 Leland 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