Physical Therapist Assistant salary in North Carolina
Physical Therapist Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $67,540 a year ($32.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $68,380. North Carolina ranks 18th of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.66 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| 25th percentile | $62,310 | $29.96 |
| Median | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| 75th percentile | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Average (mean) | $68,790 | $33.07 |
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 | $5,628.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,814.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,597.69 |
| Weekly | $1,298.85 |
| Hourly | $32.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,540 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $63,800 | 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| 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 31-2021. 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 North Carolina?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in North Carolina is $67,540 a year, or $32.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in North Carolina earn at least $80,850 a year. The top 25% earn $76,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,100 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $62,310 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in North Carolina?
About 3,280 physical therapist assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.