Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Salisbury, NC: $65,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Salisbury, NC earns a median $65,276/year (≈ $31.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $69,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the physical therapist assistant salary in Salisbury reflects both local demand and productivity expectations, with a median annual salary projected at $65,276 for 2026. This figure sits below the national median of $70,247, indicating a competitive but reasonably priced labor market. Salaries range significantly, from $45,885 at the lower tenth percentile to $79,737 at the ninetieth percentile, suggesting that job roles and responsibilities can greatly influence earnings. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, provide crucial insights for aspiring PTAs evaluating opportunities in this city, as patient visit volumes and treatment settings can impact effective compensation.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,885 | $22.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,717 | $27.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,276 | $31.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,488 | $34.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,737 | $38.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,852 (2026 est.). At $65,276, the local median is 7.08% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be above the median
How Salisbury Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $65,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,405 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.08% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $65,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.08% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $66,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury 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.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,276 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,739 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,630
2025 BLS Actual
$63,541
2026 Current Est.
$65,276
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,851 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,328 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,545 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,058 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,630 (2019) to $63,541 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,058 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,428 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $45,885 – $56,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,717 – $65,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,276 – $72,488 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,488 – $79,737 |
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 Salisbury
Currently, Salisbury employs six physical therapist assistants, highlighting a niche job market that requires prospective candidates to strategically position themselves to maximize pay. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, take-home pay here stretches further than in more expensive areas, allowing PTAs to maintain a comfortable lifestyle on local salaries. Among potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive wages, particularly for those willing to meet productivity expectations. In contrast, skilled nursing facilities may experience compressed pay due to the recent 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA-provided services, affecting staffing budgets across the board. To enhance earnings, PTAs should seek diverse experiences across settings, consider opportunities in supervision roles, and negotiate for weekend or PRN shifts, which often come with financial incentives. By understanding these dynamics, candidates can better navigate the physical therapist assistant pay Salisbury NC offers, paving the way for successful careers.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Salisbury, NC in 2026?
Is Salisbury, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Salisbury?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Salisbury?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Salisbury?
Related Pages
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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 $63,541 for physical therapist assistantsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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