Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Concord, NC: $49,815 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Concord, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,815 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Concord's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,221 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($73,839) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the workforce as a new grad physical therapist assistant in Concord, North Carolina, offers promising financial prospects, with an entry-level salary starting around $49,815 in 2026. This figure is significantly below the city's median annual salary for PTAs, which is projected at $73,839. However, it's important for new graduates to remember that salary expectations typically increase with experience; over the first few years, salaries can rise through the P25 mark of $62,854, edging closer to the overall median as one gains hands-on experience. Given the local market conditions and the projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, Concord appears to be a favorable environment for recent PTA graduates aiming to establish their careers.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Concord
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Concord, NC typically start between $49,815 and $62,854 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,467 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $73,839 — 5.11% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in North Carolina of $16,000 represents just 32.12% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($49,815/year) in Concord. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Concord
- 1Research the Concord market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $49,815 to $62,854, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Concord, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Concord for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Concord's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Concord is $48,467 ( 97.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,815, experienced hygienists can earn up to $98,282.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,969
2025 BLS Actual
$48,491
2026 Current Est.
$49,815
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,859 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,763 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,042 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,815 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,175 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Concord, NC grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,969 in 2019 to $48,491 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $51,175. New graduates entering the Concord job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Concord
In Concord, various employers actively look for physical therapist assistants, particularly outpatient chains and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), despite the challenging reimbursement environment due to the 15% cut in Medicare Part B services. New graduates who possess an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, have passed the NPTAE national exam, and hold state PTA licenses are well-positioned for entry-level roles. Additional credentials, like advanced proficiency through the APTA, can positively influence starting pay in North Carolina. During the first three years of employment, expect realistic salary growth tied to experience, especially as PTAs work closely with licensed physical therapists under state laws and Medicare regulations. For those considering a pathway from PTA to DPT, gaining early and diverse clinical experiences will be essential to enhance both skill sets and future earning potential in Concord’s competitive market.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Concord in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Concord?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Concord. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov