PT Assistant Salary

Charlotte vs Statesville: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Charlotte, NC and Statesville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$72,651
$34.93/hr
Statesville, NC
$65,874
$31.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCStatesville, NC
Median Salary$72,651$65,874
Hourly Rate$34.93$31.67
Entry Level (P10)$59,491$47,383
25th Percentile$66,035$57,982
75th Percentile$80,129$75,246
Top Earner (P90)$85,523$84,148
Total Employed8707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($72,651) and Statesville ($65,874) physical therapist assistant salaries.CharlotteStatesvilleMedian Salary$72,651$65,874Entry Level (P10)$59,491$47,383Top Earner (P90)$85,523$84,148US Median $70,247

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Statesville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Statesville is $6,777 (10.29%). Charlotte's median is +3.42% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $26,032,Statesville spans $36,765. Statesville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$59,491
P25$66,035
Median$72,651
P75$80,129
P90 (Top)$85,523
Statesville
P10 (Entry)$47,383
P25$57,982
Median$65,874
P75$75,246
P90 (Top)$84,148

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($74,630 effective) pays 6.04% more than Statesville ($70,378 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $72,651
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $74,630
Statesville
Nominal: $65,874
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $70,378

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,651/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,523)
  • Larger job market (870 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,630)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Statesville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Charlotte grew 16.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.7% growth in Statesville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.8%

$60,540 (2019) → $70,720 (2025)

Statesville, NC

+4.7%

$61,263 (2024) → $64,123 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Charlotte or Statesville?

Charlotte has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $72,651/year, compared to Statesville at $65,874/year — a difference of $6,777 (10.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Statesville?

Charlotte physical therapist assistants earn $34.93/hr while Statesville hygienists earn $31.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Statesville as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Statesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $74,630, Statesville = $70,378), job availability (870 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Charlotte vs Statesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $59,491 in Charlotte and $47,383 in Statesville. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov