Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $65,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $65,490/year (≈ $31.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $69,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $65,490 in 2026. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and is slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for these professionals spans from $48,159 at the 10th percentile to $86,937 at the 90th percentile. The differences in pay highlight the potential for increased earnings as one considers advancing from a PTA to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) through bridging programs, which can significantly enhance lifetime earning power and career opportunities in a market that is gradually growing.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,159 | $23.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,189 | $27.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,490 | $31.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,371 | $36.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,937 | $41.80 |
Median Salary Position
6.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,778 (2026 est.). At $65,490, the local median is 6.77% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $65,490/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,420 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.77% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $65,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $66,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,490 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,809
2025 BLS Actual
$63,750
2026 Current Est.
$65,490
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,723 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,278 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,809 (2019) to $63,750 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,278 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,469 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $48,159 – $57,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,189 – $65,490 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,490 – $76,371 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,371 – $86,937 |
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 Wake Forest
While Wake Forest has only 9 employed physical therapist assistants, the local job market indicates stability within this profession. The cost-of-living index in this area sits at 93.6, which suggests that take-home purchasing power can be manageable for PTAs, even if salaries are lower than the national average. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities often lead in pay. However, factors such as workplace setting, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursement for PTA services in heavily Medicare-reliant settings can create disparities between low and high pay. To maximize earning potential in Wake Forest, PTAs should consider employment in higher-paying settings and look into opportunities that allow for more autonomy, such as weekend shifts that typically offer premium pay and increased flexibility.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Wake Forest, NC in 2026?
Is Wake Forest, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Wake Forest?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Wake Forest?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Wake Forest?
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 $63,750 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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