Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Sanford, NC: $65,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Sanford, NC earns a median $65,491/year (≈ $31.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $69,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Sanford, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $65,491 in 2026, reflecting the evolving landscape following the Medicare cuts that have altered compensation patterns across various sectors. The salary range for this occupation spans from $46,193 at the 10th percentile to $82,908 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, showcasing that Sanford's pay levels for physical therapist assistants are slightly below the national median of $70,247. This discrepancy indicates that while there is a stable demand for PTAs in Sanford, the outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) settings have been particularly impacted by recent policy changes, leading to varied earning potentials and employment dynamics in the area.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,193 | $22.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,173 | $27.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,491 | $31.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,351 | $35.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,908 | $39.86 |
Median Salary Position
6.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, NC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,715 (2026 est.). At $65,491, the local median is 6.77% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be above the median
How Sanford Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Sanford median: $65,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,421 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.77% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Sanford, NC earn a median of $65,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $66,421.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford 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.
Sanford, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,491 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,969 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,810
2025 BLS Actual
$63,751
2026 Current Est.
$65,491
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,521 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,742 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,908 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,810 (2019) to $63,751 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,469 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $46,193 – $57,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,173 – $65,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,491 – $74,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,351 – $82,908 |
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 Sanford
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is somewhat limited, with just five individuals currently employed in Sanford. This scarcity, coupled with a cost-of-living index of 93.6—which is below the national average—affects the purchasing power of PTAs in the region. While outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer some of the highest pay rates, competition from skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies remains significant, especially due to the ongoing effects of the Medicare reimbursement cuts. These cuts have led to heightened productivity expectations and a broader pay spread that can reach up to $39.86 per hour for top earners. To maximize their salary potential, aspiring PTAs in Sanford should consider specializing in settings that offer higher pay or take advantage of PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, enabling them to improve their career prospects and potentially increase their earnings.
More salary data for Sanford, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,751 for physical therapist assistantsin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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