Physical Therapist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Physical Therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $101,950 a year ($49.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,220 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $99,910. There are 1.1 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $101,850, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| 25th percentile | $92,230 | $44.34 |
| Median | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| 75th percentile | $110,460 | $53.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,220 | $59.24 |
| Average (mean) | $101,850 | $48.97 |
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 | $8,495.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,247.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,921.15 |
| Weekly | $1,960.58 |
| Hourly | $49.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,950 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 |
| 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $100,240 | 790 |
| 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $101,950 a year, or $49.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $123,220 a year. The top 25% earn $110,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,690 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $92,230 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 160 physical therapists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.