North Carolina · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in North Carolina

Q: What is the average physical therapist salary in North Carolina?

The median physical therapist salary in North Carolina is $92,730 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $63,100; the top 10% earn $108,560 or more. About 7,821 people work in this role across the state.

Q: How does North Carolina physical therapist pay compare to the national average?

North Carolina's median of $92,730 is $6,980 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $100,032.

Median $92,730 · Top 10% earn $108,560+ · Roughly 7,821 workers in North Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Carolina median: $92,730; $44.58/hr
Top 10%: $108,560; 90th percentile
Bottom 10%: $63,100; Entry-level range
Real pay: $100,032; CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

North Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for physical therapists — $92,730 versus the national median of $99,710. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 7,821 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in North Carolina

North Carolina PT pay tracks national median. Duke, UNC, and Atrium Health drive above-state-median pay.

North Carolina ranks #34 of 50 states

Where North Carolina sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank	State	Median	vs. North Carolina
#33	Ohio	$93,730	+$1,000
#32	New Mexico	$93,730	+$1,000
#31	Florida	$93,730	+$1,000
#34	North Carolina (this page)	$92,730	—
#36	Georgia	$91,730	−$1,000
#37	South Carolina	$90,740	−$1,990
#38	Indiana	$90,740	−$1,990

See all 50 states →

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Education path for North Carolina

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the North Carolina median of $92,730, payback periods are typically 2.9 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with North Carolina selected.

Physical Therapist salary in North Carolina — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in North Carolina?

The median physical therapist salary in North Carolina is $92,730 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $63,100; the top 10% earn $108,560 or more. About 7,821 people work in this role across the state.

How does North Carolina physical therapist pay compare to the national average?

North Carolina's median of $92,730 is $6,980 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $100,032.

Is physical therapist a good career in North Carolina?

On the data: North Carolina employs roughly 7,821 physical therapists, with a median wage of $92,730 and the top decile clearing $108,560. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.

What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in North Carolina?

At the North Carolina median of $92,730 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $44.58/hr. The top 10% earn around $52.19/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $30.34/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Carolina-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where North Carolina's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.