Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Burlington, NC: $84,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Burlington, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $84,095/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $90,235 in average-cost America. The 8% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Salaries for seasoned physical therapist assistants in Burlington, North Carolina, reflect significant earning potential, especially for those in the upper echelons of their professional integrity. The 2026 top-tier pay for experienced professionals is projected to reach $84,095, with those earning at the 75th percentile receiving approximately $83,920. This competitive compensation places Burlington's highest earners ahead of the national average for seasoned PTAs, aligning with their expertise and specialization. The gap between the median annual salary of $78,085 and the highest earnings indicates a robust experience premium in this market. Achieving such a salary involves not only years of hands-on practice but also a commitment to continued education and specialization, which are necessities for advancing in the field.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $83,920 and $84,095 per year (2026 est.). This $22,323 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $78,085 sits 11.16% above the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $78,085 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,920 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $84,095 | $91,954 |
In Burlington, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 7.70% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $78,085 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $83,920–$84,095 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in North Carolina who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #18 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $84,095).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Burlington ($84,095) is 1.6% below the North Carolina average P90 ($85,461).
2019 BLS Actual
$73,931
2025 BLS Actual
$81,860
2026 Current Est.
$84,095
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,422 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,391 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $73,931 in 2019 to $81,860 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $86,391 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Burlington
In Burlington, specialized skills can significantly influence income levels for senior physical therapist assistants. Areas such as orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric care, and sports medicine often command higher salaries due to the complexities involved. The type of employer also plays a critical role in salary disparities; outpatient clinics may offer different compensation structures compared to skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies. As professionals seek advancement, leadership opportunities, such as becoming a lead PTA or transitioning to a PTA program faculty role, can provide pathways to higher salaries and increased responsibilities. Earning advanced credentials, such as proficiency certifications through APTA, can further enhance earning potential in North Carolina. Furthermore, the impact of evolving Medicare policies, like the recent 15% cut on reimbursement for PTA services, continues to shape the financial landscape, necessitating strategic career decisions for those in the profession.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Burlington?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Burlington?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Burlington?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $81,860 for physical therapist assistants in the Burlington metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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