Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Gastonia, NC: $71,101 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Gastonia, NC earns a median $71,101/year (≈ $34.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $75,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gastonia, North Carolina, the projected median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $71,101, which slightly exceeds the national median of $70,247. This range runs from $50,256 at the low end (P10) to $91,758 at the high end (P90), showcasing a notable variance in compensation. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, reflecting Gastonia's specific economic context and demand for physical therapy services. As productivity expectations in this field increase, driven by patient visit volume and healthcare delivery models, earning potential becomes heavily influenced by performance metrics and employment settings.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,256 | $24.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,177 | $29.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,101 | $34.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,501 | $39.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,758 | $44.11 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,502 (2026 est.). At $71,101, the local median is 1.22% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be above the median
How Gastonia Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $71,101/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,450 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +1.22% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $71,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 7.00% above the North Carolina state average of $66,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $71,101 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,963 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,505
2025 BLS Actual
$69,212
2026 Current Est.
$71,101
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,505 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,497 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,534 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,101 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,043 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $59,505 (2019) to $69,212 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,043 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,538 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $50,256 – $62,177 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,177 – $71,101 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,101 – $81,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,501 – $91,758 |
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 Gastonia
Currently, Gastonia employs 16 physical therapist assistants, a factor that contributes to the local job market's stability. The cost-of-living index of 93.6 indicates that living expenses are generally lower than the national average, which enhances purchasing power for those earning in this field. Those seeking higher compensation may find that outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer better pay than skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies. Factors that drive pay disparities include job setting, productivity metrics, and weekend or PRN pay differentials, especially critical in a market responding to the ongoing effects of the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut for PTA services. Maximizing pay in Gastonia could involve selecting positions in outpatient settings, improving patient throughput, and considering advanced education pathways, such as the PTA-to-DPT transition, to enhance overall career prospects.
More salary data for Gastonia, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Gastonia, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Gastonia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Gastonia?
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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 $69,212 for physical therapist assistantsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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