Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cornelius, NC: $65,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cornelius, NC earns a median $65,549/year (≈ $31.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cornelius's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $70,031 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cornelius, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $65,549, reflecting a modest decrease compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range shows considerable variation, with the lowest 10% earning around $49,762 and the top 90% making as much as $80,774. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, indicating how local economic conditions are impacting earnings. The landscape for physical therapist assistants in Cornelius has shifted since the implementation of the Medicare cuts, which have particularly affected compensation structures within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings, creating challenges for professionals in this market.
About the Cornelius Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,762 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,830 | $28.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,549 | $31.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,071 | $35.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,774 | $38.83 |
Median Salary Position
6.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cornelius
In Cornelius, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,012 (2026 est.). At $65,549, the local median is 6.69% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Cornelius: You'd be above the median
How Cornelius Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cornelius median: $65,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cornelius Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,412 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.69% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cornelius, NC earn a median of $65,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $66,412.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cornelius has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cornelius, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,549 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,031 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,858
2025 BLS Actual
$63,807
2026 Current Est.
$65,549
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,858 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,795 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,807 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,338 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cornelius metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,858 (2019) to $63,807 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,338 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,480 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cornelius 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) | $49,762 – $59,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,830 – $65,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,549 – $73,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,071 – $80,774 |
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 Cornelius
Currently, there are only seven physical therapist assistants employed in the Cornelius area, which suggests a tight job market. The cost of living index in Cornelius stands at 93.6, slightly below the national average, indicating that while salaries may appear lower than national benchmarks, the purchasing power could be relatively stable. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the highest pay, though reimbursement changes have created disparities across various settings including home health agencies and hospital inpatient rehab. The gap between the lowest and highest salaries is influenced by factors such as employer type, productivity expectations, and Medicare’s 15% reimbursement cut which has constrained budgets in certain sectors. To maximize earnings, PTAs in Cornelius might consider diversifying their skill sets or pursuing opportunities in settings where reimbursement rates are less affected by Medicare policies.
More salary data for Cornelius, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Cornelius?
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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 $63,807 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cornelius 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
Salary data for Cornelius 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