Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Durham, NC: $75,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Durham, NC earns a median $75,989/year (≈ $36.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $77,880 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
At $75,989, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Durham, NC, reflects a robust compensation landscape that outpaces the national median of $70,247 by a notable margin of 8.17%. The salary spectrum for this role reveals a range from $56,738 at the 10th percentile to $87,803 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market that can cater to varied experience levels and settings. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a shifting employment context as the industry adjusts to recent Medicare cuts implemented in 2022. The divide in compensation between outpatient and skilled nursing facilities has become apparent, influencing how pay is structured within the state, particularly for those still relying heavily on Medicare reimbursements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,738 | $27.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,559 | $32.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,989 | $36.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,472 | $38.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,803 | $42.21 |
Median Salary Position
8.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,065 (2026 est.). At $75,989, the local median is 8.17% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be above the median
How Durham Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Durham median: $75,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,424 | +14.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.17% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Durham, NC earn a median of $75,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 14.40% above the North Carolina state average of $66,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $75,989 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,880 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,150
2025 BLS Actual
$73,970
2026 Current Est.
$75,989
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.5% from $65,150 (2019) to $73,970 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,914 (19.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $56,738 – $66,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,559 – $75,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,989 – $79,472 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,472 – $87,803 |
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 Durham
In Durham, where 130 physical therapist assistants are currently employed, the cost of living index stands at 97.572, suggesting that take-home pay stretches further than in many other metropolitan areas. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer some of the highest compensation among local employers, while skilled nursing facilities have experienced pay compression largely due to the 15% Medicare cut and their reliance on Medicare funding. This variance stems from differing productivity expectations and supervision requirements in various settings. To maximize pay potential in this market, aspiring PTAs should focus on gaining experience in high-demand environments, consider additional certifications, and pursue opportunities for weekend or PRN shifts, where premiums may be available. Understanding the nuances of pay structures across different facilities can significantly impact overall earnings in the competitive Durham market.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Durham?
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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 $73,970 for physical therapist assistantsin the Durham 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
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