Physical Therapist Salary in Salisbury, NC: $100,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Salisbury, NC earns a median $100,585/year (≈ $48.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $107,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, NC, the projected physical therapist salary for 2026 is $100,585, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape despite trailing the national median of $105,288 by 4.47%. Local salaries span from a modest $76,137 at the lowest decile to $123,464 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a significant variance influenced by factors such as clinic type and reimbursement models. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differentials. The area's job market retains a lean workforce of six physical therapists, suggesting that while demand exists, the levels of productivity expected may drive compensation structures favorably for those who can meet or exceed them, creating a unique dynamics in Salisbury's healthcare environment.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,137 | $36.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,684 | $40.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,585 | $48.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,515 | $55.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,464 | $59.36 |
Median Salary Position
4.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,327 (2026 est.). At $100,585, the local median is 4.47% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be above the median
How Salisbury Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $100,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,324 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.47% less |
Physical Therapists in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $100,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.47% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $102,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury 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.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,585 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,445
2025 BLS Actual
$98,170
2026 Current Est.
$100,585
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,445 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,945 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,349 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,256 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,541 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $85,445 (2019) to $98,170 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,614 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $76,137 – $83,684 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,684 – $100,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,585 – $114,515 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,515 – $123,464 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Salisbury
In examining the job market for physical therapists in Salisbury, the cost of living index of 93.6 indicates that residents face a slightly lower economic burden compared to the national average. This can enhance take-home purchasing power for physical therapists in the area, especially when evaluating the pay across various practice settings. Outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico or larger health systems may offer different compensation packages. Those in private practice may find higher pay potential, particularly with an emphasis on certification benefits like OCS or SCS, impacting earnings. Productivity expectations, including metrics like visits per day, are critical; therapists who optimize these can substantially increase their pay, especially in competitive environments. Targeting employers willing to offer cash-pay models rather than strictly insurance-driven practices may also yield higher earnings. As a strategy, achieving board certification and enhancing productivity within the local market can significantly boost physical therapist pay in Salisbury, NC.
More salary data for Salisbury, 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 $98,170 for physical therapistsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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