Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Wilmington, NC
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $75,820 a year ($36.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,930 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 12% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $67,540. There are 1.1 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,990, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| 25th percentile | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| Median | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| 75th percentile | $76,000 | $36.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,930 | $41.79 |
| Average (mean) | $71,990 | $34.61 |
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 | $6,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,159.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,916.15 |
| Weekly | $1,458.08 |
| Hourly | $36.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,820 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 |
| 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 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $49,590 | $23.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $75,820 a year, or $36.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $86,930 a year. The top 25% earn $76,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,520 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $64,580 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Wilmington, NC?
About 220 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.