Physical Therapist Aide salary in North Carolina
Physical Therapist Aides in North Carolina earn a median of $34,760 a year ($16.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,890 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,240. North Carolina ranks 25th of 50 states for physical therapist aides pay. There are 0.21 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $39,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,920 | $13.91 |
| 25th percentile | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| Median | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| 75th percentile | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,890 | $35.04 |
| Average (mean) | $39,310 | $18.90 |
Half of physical therapist aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,896.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,448.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,336.92 |
| Weekly | $668.46 |
| Hourly | $16.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $37,610 | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $37,580 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,420 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,410 | 170 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $35,370 | 170 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $34,760 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $34,530 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $34,280 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,200 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $31,510 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Orderly | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,530 | $17.08 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in North Carolina?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in North Carolina is $34,760 a year, or $16.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in North Carolina earn at least $72,890 a year. The top 25% earn $38,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,920 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $31,040 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in North Carolina?
About 1,050 physical therapist aides are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.