Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Raleigh, NC: $69,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Raleigh, NC earns a median $69,743/year (≈ $33.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $71,052 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Raleigh, NC, have a projected median annual salary of $69,743, slightly below the national median of $70,247. This figure reflects a competitive salary landscape, with the earnings for PTAs in the area ranging from $61,700 at the lower 10th percentile to $89,324 at the upper 90th percentile. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting Raleigh's position as a strong market for physical therapist assistants. The city's growing emphasis on rehabilitation services and healthcare access can further enhance earning potential, especially for those pursuing advanced certifications or bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which significantly boosts lifetime earnings over time.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,932 | $31.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,743 | $33.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,434 | $39.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,324 | $42.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,624 (2026 est.). At $69,743, the local median is 0.72% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $69,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,422 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -0.72% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $69,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.00% above the North Carolina state average of $66,422.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $69,743 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,052 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,700
2025 BLS Actual
$67,890
2026 Current Est.
$69,743
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 24.1% from $54,700 (2019) to $67,890 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,947 (30.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $61,700 – $65,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,932 – $69,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,743 – $81,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,434 – $89,324 |
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 Raleigh
Raleigh's job market currently employs around 390 physical therapist assistants, grounding this salary insight in a vibrant and robust healthcare community. With a cost-of-living index of 98.157, PTAs in Raleigh enjoy a reasonable standard of living that allows for effective take-home pay relative to the region's expenses. Notably, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers often offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may experience pay compression due to the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for PTA services, effective since 2022. To optimize earnings, PTAs should seek opportunities that provide productivity incentives or consider roles that demand weekend or PRN shifts, where pay can be more competitive. Staying informed about the changing dynamics in the local market, particularly regarding reimbursement policies and demand for specialized services, will be crucial for maximizing physical therapist assistant pay in Raleigh, NC.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $67,890 for physical therapist assistantsin the Raleigh 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