📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Physical Therapist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$88,925
per year
Median
$87,014
per year
Hourly
$42.75
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,573
25th Percentile — Junior$72,163
50th Percentile — Median$87,014
75th Percentile — Senior$98,240
90th Percentile — Top Earners$106,375
💡 Top-earning Physical Therapists in North Carolina make up to $106,375 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$71.4k
2021
$74.6k
2022
$77.9k
2023
$81.4k
2024
$85.1k
2025
$88.9k
2026
📈 Physical Therapist salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 4.5% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Physical Therapist Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $85,368 -4.0% Very High
Raleigh $87,146 -2.0% Very High
Greensboro $80,032 -10.0% Very High
Durham $86,257 -3.0% Very High
Winston-Salem $77,365 -13.0% Very High
🔍
Physical Therapist Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Physical Therapists. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $88,925 per year, North Carolina's Physical Therapist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $60,573–$72,163, while experienced Physical Therapists can command $98,240–$106,375.

Looking ahead, the Physical Therapist profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 4.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Physical Therapist salary in North Carolina is $88,925 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $97,720.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Physical Therapists the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Physical Therapist employment.
  • At $88,925/year, North Carolina Physical Therapist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $97,720/year.