Physical Therapist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Physical Therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $100,240 a year ($48.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,880 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $99,910. There are 2.3 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,260, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| 25th percentile | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Median | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| 75th percentile | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,880 | $60.52 |
| Average (mean) | $96,260 | $46.28 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $8,353.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,176.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,855.38 |
| Weekly | $1,927.69 |
| Hourly | $48.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,240 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 salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount, NC | $103,030 | 80 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $101,950 | 160 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $101,270 | 510 |
| Burlington, NC | $101,120 | 100 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,060 | 1,680 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,840 | 1,470 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $100,120 | 220 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $99,900 | 1,190 |
| Asheville, NC | $99,480 | 300 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $99,320 | 540 |
| Wilmington, NC | $98,770 | 460 |
| Greenville, NC | $98,020 | 190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $95,190 | 80 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $94,400 | 100 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $89,210 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Veterinarian | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Dentists, General | $208,490 | $100.24 |
| Acupuncturist | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Audiologist | $92,470 | $44.46 |
| Recreational Therapist | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $214,620 | $103.18 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $100,240 a year, or $48.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $125,880 a year. The top 25% earn $105,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,720 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $80,790 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 790 physical therapists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.