Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $63,800 a year ($30.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,530 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 6% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $67,540. There are 0.92 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,660 | $26.28 |
| 25th percentile | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Median | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| 75th percentile | $72,870 | $35.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| Average (mean) | $65,970 | $31.72 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $5,316.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,658.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,453.85 |
| Weekly | $1,226.92 |
| Hourly | $30.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,800 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 Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $76,010 | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $75,820 | 220 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $73,970 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,300 | 790 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $70,720 | 870 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $69,150 | 30 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $67,890 | 390 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $65,220 | 70 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $64,660 | 180 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $64,610 | 190 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,520 | 130 |
| Greenville, NC | $63,900 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $63,860 | 140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $62,350 | 40 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,780 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,390 | $15.09 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. 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 assistant make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $63,800 a year, or $30.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $77,530 a year. The top 25% earn $72,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,660 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $61,000 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 140 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.