Physical Therapist Salary in Monroe, NC: $98,417 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Monroe, NC earns a median $98,417/year (≈ $47.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $105,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Monroe, North Carolina, the projected compensation for physical therapists reveals a median annual salary of $98,417 for 2026. With a salary range extending from $79,067 at the 10th percentile to as much as $126,179 at the 90th percentile, therapists in this market face a competitive landscape. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, indicating that local salaries are slightly behind the national median of $105,288, sitting at approximately 6.53% lower. As the job market evolves, the emphasis on productivity within clinic settings has heightened expectations, especially concerning visits per day, which significantly impacts effective hourly compensation for practitioners in Monroe.
About the Monroe Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,067 | $38.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,257 | $40.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,417 | $47.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,323 | $55.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,179 | $60.67 |
Median Salary Position
6.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,112 (2026 est.). At $98,417, the local median is 6.53% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Monroe median: $98,417/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,304 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -6.53% less |
Physical Therapists in Monroe, NC earn a median of $98,417 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.53% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $102,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe 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.
Monroe, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $98,417 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,603
2025 BLS Actual
$96,054
2026 Current Est.
$98,417
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,203 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,697 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,417 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $83,603 (2019) to $96,054 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,235 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $79,067 – $85,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,257 – $98,417 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,417 – $115,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,323 – $126,179 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Monroe
Analyzing the local market, only six physical therapists are currently employed in Monroe, suggesting a tight-knit community but also limited job openings. The cost of living index for the area stands at 93.6, meaning that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the real purchasing power remains viable for local professionals. Among potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly larger chains like ATI and Athletico, often set the competitive salary benchmarks, with higher pay available for those who achieve board specialization through OCS or SCS credentials. The disparity in earnings can largely be attributed to varying productivity expectations—those who adopt a cash-pay model or work in specialized practice settings may command higher pay. To maximize earning potential in Monroe, physical therapists should consider enhancing their skills through board certification and seek employment in environments that foster higher productivity, whether in private practice or high-demand specialty areas.
More salary data for Monroe, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Monroe, NC in 2026?
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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 $96,054 for physical therapistsin the Monroe 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 Monroe 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