Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Asheville, NC: $65,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Asheville, NC earns a median $65,603/year (≈ $31.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $67,978 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in 2026 is $65,603, which is approximately 6.61% lower than the national median of $70,247. Salary ranges for this role span from $45,355 at the 10th percentile to $79,903 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in experience and setting. Insights drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data highlight the physical therapist assistant role's growth potential within the region, where productivity expectations and visit-per-day metrics significantly influence compensation strategies. As the healthcare market in Asheville continues to evolve, skilled PTAs can find lucrative opportunities that align with advanced practice and specialization within their field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,355 | $21.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,891 | $30.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,603 | $31.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,465 | $36.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,903 | $38.41 |
Median Salary Position
6.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,548 (2026 est.). At $65,603, the local median is 6.61% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Asheville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Asheville median: $65,603/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,400 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.61% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Asheville, NC earn a median of $65,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.61% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.20% below the North Carolina state average of $66,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,603 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,978 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,170
2025 BLS Actual
$63,860
2026 Current Est.
$65,603
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,394 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 7.9% from $59,170 (2019) to $63,860 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,224 (13.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,355 – $62,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,891 – $65,603 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,603 – $75,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,465 – $79,903 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Asheville
Positioned at a cost-of-living index of 96.506, the purchasing power in Asheville impacts how much physical therapist assistants can expect to earn relative to their expenses. With around 140 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, job prospects appear stable within various sectors including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Typically, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher wages compared to other settings. The wage discrepancy often stems from specific factors such as weekend and PRN bonuses, differing productivity expectations, and the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts impacting PTAs in skilled nursing and outpatient scenarios. For those seeking to maximize their pay in this Asheville market, pursuing specialization, gaining experience in high-demand areas, and staying informed about Medicare policies are effective strategies.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Asheville, NC in 2026?
Is Asheville, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Asheville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Asheville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Asheville?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,860 for physical therapist assistantsin the Asheville metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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