Physical Therapist Salary in Matthews, NC: $101,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Matthews, NC earns a median $101,181/year (≈ $48.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $108,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Matthews, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $101,181, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range in Matthews spans from $77,269 at the 10th percentile to $125,625 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape driven in part by the growing trend of cash-pay models in outpatient orthopedic settings. These private practices often offer competitive rates to attract skilled therapists, reflecting the local adjustments based on BLS state-level data and regional price parities. As Matthews continues to evolve, the demand for quality physical therapy services is likely to influence both pay and hiring trends in the area.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,269 | $37.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,920 | $40.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,181 | $48.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,836 | $55.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,625 | $60.40 |
Median Salary Position
3.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,356 (2026 est.). At $101,181, the local median is 3.9% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Matthews median: $101,181/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,307 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.90% less |
Physical Therapists in Matthews, NC earn a median of $101,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.90% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $102,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,181 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,099 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,952
2025 BLS Actual
$98,752
2026 Current Est.
$101,181
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,952 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $85,952 (2019) to $98,752 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,718 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $77,269 – $84,920 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,920 – $101,181 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,181 – $115,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,836 – $125,625 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Matthews
Despite employing only 8 physical therapists, Matthews presents a favorable job market for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the purchasing power for physical therapist salaries is higher than the national average, allowing for a better quality of life. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, especially private practices like Athletico, tend to offer the most competitive pay, while hospital-based settings may provide better benefits and job stability. The variation in salaries is often driven by productivity metrics, board certification stipends, and differing payment models, such as cash versus insurance-based practices. To maximize earning potential, physical therapists in Matthews can focus on acquiring specialized certifications like the OCS or SCS, consider clinic ownership opportunities, and adapt to the area's growing shift towards cash-pay models.
More salary data for Matthews, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $98,752 for physical therapistsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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