Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in High Point, NC: $65,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in High Point, NC earns a median $65,352/year (≈ $31.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $69,821 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In High Point, NC, the expected salary for physical therapist assistants is projected to reach $65,352 by 2026, a figure that falls below the national median of $70,247. With a salary range extending from $45,958 at the lower end (P10) to $89,416 at the high end (P90), the local market reflects the structural adjustments stemming from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA services. As outpatient settings have significantly absorbed the impact of these cuts, the disparity in earnings also highlights the relative positioning of different employment environments, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which are particularly sensitive to such changes. These estimates, derived from BLS data adjusted for regional cost variations, offer a nuanced view of the financial landscape for physical therapist assistants in this city, informing both current and aspiring practitioners.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,958 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,045 | $27.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,352 | $31.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,518 | $37.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,416 | $42.99 |
Median Salary Position
6.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,458 (2026 est.). At $65,352, the local median is 6.97% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
High Point median: $65,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,414 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.97% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in High Point, NC earn a median of $65,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.97% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the North Carolina state average of $66,414.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point 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.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,821 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,693
2025 BLS Actual
$63,615
2026 Current Est.
$65,352
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,605 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,396 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,433 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,615 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,693 (2019) to $63,615 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,443 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $45,958 – $57,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,045 – $65,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,352 – $77,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,518 – $89,416 |
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 High Point
In terms of job availability, High Point employs 23 physical therapist assistants, a figure that remains relatively stable in a city with a cost-of-living index of 93.6, indicating a slightly lower living expense compared to national averages. This economic backdrop suggests a better purchasing power for salaries earned locally, though it remains essential to recognize which sectors offer the best compensation. Generally, positions in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab tend to provide higher pay than roles in home health agencies or school therapy programs. The variation in compensation arises from factors such as productivity expectations, supervisory requirements, and the ongoing impact of the Medicare cuts, especially within outpatient contexts. For those seeking to enhance their earning potential, targeting employment in higher-paying outpatient or hospital settings, actively gaining certifications, and exploring additional PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways can strategically position professionals in a competitive marketplace.
More salary data for High Point, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,615 for physical therapist assistantsin the High Point 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 High Point 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