Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $76,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $76,624/year (≈ $36.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $81,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Chapel Hill, NC, reflects a competitive environment for physical therapist assistants, especially influenced by the structural changes in the healthcare market following the recent Medicare cuts. With a projected median salary of $76,624 in 2026, physical therapist assistants in this area earn significantly more than the national median of $70,247, showcasing a local premium of approximately 9.08%. Salary figures range from $51,746 at the 10th percentile to $103,630 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy spread that reflects the diverse settings in which PTAs operate — from outpatient care to skilled nursing facilities. These estimates draw on BLS state-level data and BEA Regional Price Parities adjustments to better capture the local economic context.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,746 | $24.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,138 | $31.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,624 | $36.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,581 | $42.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,630 | $49.82 |
Median Salary Position
9.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,884 (2026 est.). At $76,624, the local median is 9.08% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $76,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,399 | +15.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.08% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $76,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.08% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 15.40% above the North Carolina state average of $66,399.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $76,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,863 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,127
2025 BLS Actual
$74,588
2026 Current Est.
$76,624
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,469 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,588 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,127 (2019) to $74,588 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,589 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,746 – $65,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,138 – $76,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,624 – $87,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,581 – $103,630 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Chapel Hill
Despite a workforce of only nine employed physical therapist assistants in the region, the job market is resilient, supported by the relatively low cost of living index of 93.6. This lower cost of living enhances the take-home purchasing power for professionals in the area. The highest-paying employers tend to be outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly larger chains, which offer greater salary potential than skilled nursing facilities that have been affected by the Medicare cuts. The disparity in salaries often arises from varying productivity expectations, with hospital settings typically offering higher compensation due to their demanding pace and clinical responsibilities. PTAs seeking to maximize their pay in Chapel Hill might consider additional certifications or pursuing advanced education such as PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, which can open doors to more lucrative roles in the field.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Chapel Hill?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,588 for physical therapist assistantsin the Chapel Hill metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill 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