PT Assistant Salary

Greensboro vs Raleigh: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Greensboro, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greensboro, NC
$66,374
$31.91/hr
Raleigh, NC
$69,743
$33.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$66,374$69,743
Hourly Rate$31.91$33.53
Entry Level (P10)$55,916$61,700
25th Percentile$62,850$65,932
75th Percentile$77,602$81,434
Top Earner (P90)$83,150$89,324
Total Employed190390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($66,374) and Raleigh ($69,743) physical therapist assistant salaries.GreensboroRaleighMedian Salary$66,374$69,743Entry Level (P10)$55,916$61,700Top Earner (P90)$83,150$89,324US Median $70,247

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greensboro.

The salary gap between Greensboro and Raleigh is $3,369 (5.08%). Raleigh's median is -0.72% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greensboro spans $27,234,Raleigh spans $27,624. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$55,916
P25$62,850
Median$66,374
P75$77,602
P90 (Top)$83,150
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$61,700
P25$65,932
Median$69,743
P75$81,434
P90 (Top)$89,324

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($71,474 effective) pays 0.59% more than Raleigh ($71,052 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $66,374
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $71,474
Raleigh
Nominal: $69,743
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $71,052

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,474)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,743/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,324)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Greensboro grew 12.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+12.8%

$57,290 (2019) → $64,610 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+24.1%

$54,700 (2019) → $67,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Greensboro or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $69,743/year, compared to Greensboro at $66,374/year — a difference of $3,369 (5.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Raleigh?

Greensboro physical therapist assistants earn $31.91/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $33.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greensboro to Raleigh as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $71,474, Raleigh = $71,052), job availability (190 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Greensboro vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $55,916 in Greensboro and $61,700 in Raleigh. The Raleigh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov