Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Greenville, NC: $31.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Greenville, NC runs $31.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,644 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,385 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Greenville, North Carolina, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $31.56 according to 2025 BLS OEWS data, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate can be beneficial for those seeking part-time positions, as a three-day workweek often translates to manageable earnings within typical therapeutic settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health visits. Entry-level positions may start at around $26.25 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $42.31 per hour. These figures represent official BLS projections for 2026 and reflect the realities of a profession that operates under the oversight of a licensed physical therapist, especially in environments where patient care and rehabilitation are paramount.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.25 | $209.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.57 | $236.53 |
| Median (P50) | $31.56 | $252.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.17 | $313.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.31 | $338.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $31.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.56/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, NC can expect to earn approximately $65,642 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,870. With a cost-of-living index of 88.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,262.35 | $5,470 | $65,642 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $757.41 | $3,282 | $39,385 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.94 | $2,188 | $26,257 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Greenville) | $31.56 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Greenville, NC earn a median of $65,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.55% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.20% below the North Carolina state average of $66,442.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.56/hr = $39,385/year (purchasing power: $44,552).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,642/year (purchasing power: $74,254).
CoL index: 88.402 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Greenville grew -3.5% from $31.85/hr (2019) to $30.72/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Greenville
For those considering part-time work, a physical therapist assistant in Greenville working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could expect about $39,481 annually, which is significantly less than if working full-time. Per diem positions offer an alternative, with physical therapist assistant pay in Greenville generally ranging from $32 to $48 an hour, appealing for those desiring flexibility. However, travel PTA contracts can yield between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, making them lucrative options despite potential instability. Variations in hourly rates also occur depending on the type of employer. Outpatient orthopedic clinics might offer different wages compared to skilled nursing facilities or hospital settings, which have been impacted by the 15% Medicare cut to reimbursement practices established since 2022. In making decisions, PTAs often weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the security of employer-provided health insurance, a consideration that is especially crucial for those in the field. Negotiating hourly pay in Greenville may be more effective when you align your expectations with the specific demands of the institution and current market trends.
More salary data for Greenville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Greenville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Greenville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Greenville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Greenville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Greenville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Greenville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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