Physical Therapist Assistants · North Carolina

Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in North Carolina

Physical Therapist Assistants in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $67,540 —1.2% below the national median of $68,380. That ranks NC #18 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$67,540
Median hourly
$32.47
Entry level (P10)
$56,100
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$80,850
90th percentile
Employment
3,280
0.7 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-1.2%
U.S. $68,380

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$56,100
$62,310
$67,540
$76,520
$56,100$67,540$80,850
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $67,540.

Employment concentration (0.92×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1California$83,110$39.969,4000.71
2Massachusetts$79,460$38.202,6401.00
3New Jersey$78,440$37.711,8100.58
4Texas$78,000$37.5010,5101.03
5Maryland$77,670$37.341,4300.72
6Alaska$77,640$37.331100.45
7Connecticut$75,880$36.489800.80
8Nevada$75,520$36.315600.50
9Delaware$74,610$35.873400.98
10Virginia$73,760$35.463,3701.13

Related occupations in North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

OccupationNorth Carolina medianU.S. median
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,240$35,800
Nursing Assistants$38,460$42,260
Medical Assistants$45,140$45,690
Dental Assistants$50,380$48,070
Phlebotomists$43,330$45,230
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$37,070$38,150

Frequently asked questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants in North Carolina is $67,540, or $32.47 per hour. That is 1.2% below the national median of $68,380.

What is the entry-level physical therapist assistants salary in North Carolina?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $56,100 per year ($26.97/hour). The 25th percentile is $62,310.

How many people work as physical therapist assistants in North Carolina?

About 3,280 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 0.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for physical therapist assistants?

North Carolina ranks #18 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.92x) is close to the national average.

Which state pays physical therapist assistants the most?

California has the highest median wage at $83,110 per year, followed by Massachusetts ($79,460) and New Jersey ($78,440).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes