Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Garner, NC: $63,723 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Garner, NC earns a median $63,723/year (≈ $30.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $68,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Garner, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $63,723, reflecting a pay scale that ranges from $47,316 at the lower end to $83,459 at the upper end. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Compared to the national median of $70,247, the physical therapist assistant salary in Garner is approximately 9.29% lower, illustrating the tighter financial parameters associated with the job market here. The earning potential heavily depends on productivity, as the number of patient visits per day plays a significant role in determining compensation for PTAs in the area.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,316 | $22.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,381 | $27.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,723 | $30.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,043 | $35.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,459 | $40.13 |
Median Salary Position
9.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,143 (2026 est.). At $63,723, the local median is 9.29% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garner Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Garner median: $63,723/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,448 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.29% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Garner, NC earn a median of $63,723 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $66,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner 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.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,723 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,080 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,331
2025 BLS Actual
$62,030
2026 Current Est.
$63,723
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,129 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,723 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,331 (2019) to $62,030 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,132 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $47,316 – $57,381 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,381 – $63,723 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,723 – $74,043 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,043 – $83,459 |
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 Garner
With only four physical therapist assistants employed in Garner, the local job market is relatively small, which may influence salary dynamics. The area's cost of living index sits at 93.6, meaning employees may enjoy a lower cost of living than the national average, potentially enhancing their purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies, primarily due to productivity expectations and reimbursement structures. Variations in salary can arise from factors such as weekend shifts, PRN roles, and the supervisory demands mandated by Medicare guidelines following recent reimbursement cuts. For physical therapist assistants looking to maximize their revenue in Garner, pursuing employment in higher-paying outpatient settings and considering additional certifications or skills related to DPT pathways could be strategic moves to elevate their market position.
More salary data for Garner, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Garner?
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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 $62,030 for physical therapist assistantsin the Garner 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 Garner 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