Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kannapolis, NC: $67,031 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Kannapolis, NC earns a median $67,031/year (≈ $32.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Kannapolis's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $71,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant in Kannapolis, North Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $67,031, which positions the local market slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary for PTAs in this area ranges from $46,443 at the lower end to $85,423 at the higher end. These figures reflect estimates derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost disparities. With opportunities to bridge the gap between PTA and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) through advanced education, physical therapist assistants might significantly enhance their lifetime earning potential, enabling them to ascend in their careers while contributing to the evolving healthcare landscape in Kannapolis.
About the Kannapolis Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,443 | $22.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,865 | $27.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,031 | $32.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,498 | $37.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,423 | $41.07 |
Median Salary Position
4.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kannapolis
In Kannapolis, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,980 (2026 est.). At $67,031, the local median is 4.58% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kannapolis: You'd be above the median
How Kannapolis Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Kannapolis median: $67,031/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kannapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,433 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.58% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $67,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $66,433.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kannapolis 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.
Kannapolis, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,031 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,614 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,099
2025 BLS Actual
$65,250
2026 Current Est.
$67,031
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,099 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,031 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kannapolis metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,099 (2019) to $65,250 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,762 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kannapolis 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) | $46,443 – $57,865 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,865 – $67,031 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,031 – $77,498 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,498 – $85,423 |
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 Kannapolis
Analysts observe that the job market for physical therapist assistants in Kannapolis shows some stability, with only 11 professionals currently employed locally. The cost of living index is 93.6, indicating that living expenses in the area are below the national average. This scenario benefits physical therapist assistant pay in Kannapolis NC, as lower living costs can enhance take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest compensation for PTAs, while settings like skilled nursing facilities may lag due to market fluctuations exacerbated by the 15% Medicare cut to services provided by PTAs. Factors such as productivity expectations and patient supervision requirements also affect earning variability. To maximize earnings, local practitioners may consider pursuing positions in outpatient clinics or targeting roles with higher pay premiums for weekend or PRN shifts, effectively capitalizing on the demand for flexibility in staffing arrangements.
More salary data for Kannapolis, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Kannapolis, NC in 2026?
Is Kannapolis, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Kannapolis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Kannapolis?
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Related Pages
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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 $65,250 for physical therapist assistantsin the Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis 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