Physical Therapist Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $105,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $105,565/year (≈ $50.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $119,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $105,565 for physical therapists in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the compensation is competitive, slightly exceeding the national median of $105,288. Salaries generally range from $80,441 at the 10th percentile to as high as $128,505 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability in roles and settings available to professionals in the area. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates a positive work environment for approximately 80 physical therapists employed in Rocky Mount, with productivity expectations often dictating hourly compensation. This vibrant market does not only support traditional settings but also includes outpatient clinics and inpatient rehabilitation, leading to a diverse range of opportunities for those entering this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,441 | $38.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,696 | $42.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,565 | $50.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,899 | $55.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,505 | $61.78 |
Median Salary Position
0.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,064 (2026 est.). At $105,565, the local median is 0.26% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be above the median
How Rocky Mount Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $105,565/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,390 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.26% more |
Physical Therapists in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $105,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 3.10% above the North Carolina state average of $102,390.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $105,565 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,944 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,675
2025 BLS Actual
$103,030
2026 Current Est.
$105,565
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,675 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $89,675 (2019) to $103,030 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,486 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $80,441 – $87,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,696 – $105,565 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,565 – $114,899 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,899 – $128,505 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Rocky Mount
The cost of living in Rocky Mount, with a cost of living index of 88.012, presents a favorable backdrop for physical therapist pay in Rocky Mount, NC. This lower index means that take-home salaries can stretch further, enhancing purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital systems, and skilled nursing facilities tend to pay premium wages for physical therapists, particularly for those with specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS. Factors driving the pay spectrum include the pressure to achieve productivity metrics, variations in practice models between insurance-covered treatment versus cash-pay practices, and opportunities to gain equity in private clinics. For those looking to maximize pay, aligning with high-demand sectors like sports medicine or specializing further can be particularly advantageous in this local job market.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 $103,030 for physical therapistsin the Rocky Mount 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, 6-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