Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Greenville, NC: $65,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Greenville, NC earns a median $65,644/year (≈ $31.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $74,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Greenville, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $65,644. This figure reflects a competitive range where the lowest 10% may earn around $54,591 while the top 10% can see compensation reaching as high as $88,019. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these salary estimates highlight the ongoing shift in the job market, particularly as outpatient therapy settings evolve in response to the challenges posed by recent Medicare cuts. The significant adjustments following the 15% reduction in malpractice reimbursement, especially in skilled nursing facilities, have led to changes in both pay structures and employment expectations for PTAs in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,591 | $26.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,504 | $29.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,644 | $31.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,475 | $39.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,019 | $42.31 |
Median Salary Position
6.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,428 (2026 est.). At $65,644, the local median is 6.55% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Greenville median: $65,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,442 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.55% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 11.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.402 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,644 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,256 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.12% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$66,250
2025 BLS Actual
$63,900
2026 Current Est.
$65,644
2019–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -3.5% from $66,250 (2019) to $63,900 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,187 (1.79%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,591 – $61,504 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,504 – $65,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,644 – $81,475 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,475 – $88,019 |
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 Greenville
In Greenville, the job market for physical therapist assistants remains robust, with approximately 80 professionals employed locally. With a cost-of-living index of 88.402, the purchasing power of PTAs is comparatively favorable, allowing for a decent standard of living even with salaries slightly below the national median. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally pay more than skilled nursing facilities due to differences in productivity expectations and recent Medicare impacts, while hospital inpatient rehabilitation often offers premium pay. Maximizing earnings here involves seeking positions that allow for greater autonomy and flexibility, such as outpatient clinics and home health agencies, where PTAs are less likely to be impacted by the constraints of facility-based work environments. Engaging in continuing education and considering PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways can also bolster career advancement and earning potential in this evolving market in Greenville, NC.
More salary data for Greenville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Greenville, NC in 2026?
Is Greenville, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Greenville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Greenville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour 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
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 $63,900 for physical therapist assistantsin the Greenville 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