Physical Therapist salary in North Carolina
Physical Therapists in North Carolina earn a median of $99,910 a year ($48.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,940 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,760. North Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.5 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| 25th percentile | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Median | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| 75th percentile | $110,330 | $53.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,940 | $60.55 |
| Average (mean) | $100,010 | $48.08 |
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 | $8,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,162.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,842.69 |
| Weekly | $1,921.35 |
| Hourly | $48.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,910 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for physical therapists in North Carolina is $99,910 a year, or $48.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of physical therapists in North Carolina earn at least $125,940 a year. The top 25% earn $110,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,020 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $84,080 or less.
How many physical therapists work in North Carolina?
About 7,350 physical therapists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.