Physical Therapist Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $100,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $100,917/year (≈ $48.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $107,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $100,917 in 2026, reflecting the growing trend toward cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialties that elevate top-end incomes. The salary range spans from $79,496 at the 10th percentile to $134,581 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a healthy variability in pay based on experience, specialization, and specific employment settings. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost factors, indicate a competitive market for physical therapists in the area, particularly as demand for services continues to rise alongside shifts in reimbursement practices.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,496 | $38.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,455 | $40.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,917 | $48.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,551 | $57.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,581 | $64.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,085 (2026 est.). At $100,917, the local median is 4.15% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $100,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,350 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.15% less |
Physical Therapists in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $100,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $102,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,917 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,817 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,727
2025 BLS Actual
$98,494
2026 Current Est.
$100,917
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,727 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,663 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,571 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,822 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,494 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $85,727 (2019) to $98,494 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,673 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $79,496 – $84,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,455 – $100,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,917 – $120,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,551 – $134,581 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Wake Forest
Employment opportunities for physical therapists in Wake Forest are relatively limited, with only nine professionals currently working in the area. However, the city's cost of living index is 93.6, which suggests that the purchasing power for therapists is favorable compared to national averages, making their earnings go further. Among the local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, including chains like Athletico and ATI, tend to offer the highest compensation, influenced by productivity expectations and the variation in reimbursement models. Key drivers of pay disparity in the market include the potential for productivity bonuses, stipends for board certifications such as Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), and the differences between cash-pay and insurance-based models. Aspiring physical therapists should focus on enhancing their skill sets through specialization and consider opportunities in clinics that emphasize cash-pay models or those that offer equity stakes in practice ownership to maximize their earning potential in Wake Forest.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Wake Forest, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Wake Forest?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Wake Forest?
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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 $98,494 for physical therapistsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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