Physical Therapist Aide Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physical Therapist Aides in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$34,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $35,240
State Rank
#25 of 50
1,050 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist Aide make in North Carolina?

Physical Therapist Aides in North Carolina take home a median of $34,760 annually — roughly $16.71 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $35,240.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $28,920 while the top 10% make $72,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,040 and $38,950 a year.

Physical Therapist Aide salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$28,920$13.90
25th percentile (early career)$31,040$14.92
50th percentile (median)$34,760$16.71
75th percentile (experienced)$38,950$18.73
90th percentile (top earners)$72,890$35.04

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories for Physical Therapist Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$55,760
2Minnesota$42,330
3Colorado$41,970
4New Hampshire$40,460
5Maine$39,660

Working as a Physical Therapist Aide in North Carolina

Nationally, about 48,000 people work as Physical Therapist Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($34,760) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physical Therapist Aide make in North Carolina?
The median Physical Therapist Aide salary in North Carolina is $34,760 per year, or about $16.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,920 at the entry level to $72,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Physical Therapist Aides about 1% less than the national median of $35,240. North Carolina ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Physical Therapist Aides?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,760 a year. About 1,050 Physical Therapist Aides are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physical Therapist Aide salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.