Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $92,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Winston-Salem, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $92,858/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Winston-Salem's price premium (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $99,207 in average-cost America. The 35% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physical therapist assistants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have significant earning potential, particularly those positioned at the top tier of their field. With a projected median annual salary of $68,842 for 2026, seasoned professionals can achieve compensation upwards of $92,858, marking a substantial gap from the median mark that highlights the experience premium in this occupation. This represents a deliberate choice by employers to reward those with exceptional skills, depth of knowledge, and significant years of service. To reach these top figures, candidates typically require over seven years of hands-on experience, advanced certifications, and possibly specialized training in high-demand areas to distinguish themselves in a competitive job market.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Winston-Salem earn between $80,447 and $92,858 per year (2026 est.). This $48,807 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Winston-Salem median of $68,842 sits 2% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Winston-Salem | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $68,842 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,447 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $92,858 | $91,954 |
In Winston-Salem, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 34.89% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Winston-Salem
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $68,842 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Winston-Salem employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Winston-Salem command premium compensation, often reaching the $80,447–$92,858 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedWinston-Salem ranks #4 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $92,858).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Winston-Salem ($92,858) is 8.66% above the North Carolina average P90 ($85,461).
2019 BLS Actual
$81,635
2025 BLS Actual
$90,390
2026 Current Est.
$92,858
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,281 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,958 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,068 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,703 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,393 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Winston-Salem saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $81,635 in 2019 to $90,390 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 $95,393 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
Specializations greatly influence senior physical therapist assistant pay in NC, specifically in fields like orthopedic, geriatric, and sports medicine rehabilitation. Employment settings vary widely—compensation traditionally skews higher in hospital inpatient rehab and outpatient orthopedic clinics than at skilled nursing facilities, where the 15% Medicare cut impacts funding and reimbursements. Opportunities for career advancement exist in roles such as clinic operations supervisor, regional clinical educator, or even transitioning into teaching roles in PTA programs. Credentials like an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, state licensure, and optional advanced proficiency through APTA can elevate one's pay scale. Non-salary factors, such as work environment, productivity expectations, and supervisory responsibilities, also play a role in shaping overall compensation for experienced physical therapist assistants in Winston-Salem.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Winston-Salem in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Winston-Salem?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Winston-Salem?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Winston-Salem?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Winston-Salem?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $90,390 for physical therapist assistants in the Winston-Salem 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
Salary data for Winston-Salem 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