SOC 31-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physical Therapist Assistants — Eastern North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Eastern North Carolina, NC is $63,520 per year, close to the national median of $68,380 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Eastern North Carolina, NC is $63,520 per year, close to the national median of $68,380 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $62,330 and $76,990. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $57,290 and the ninetieth at $79,360.
Employment stands at 230, or 0.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Burlington records the highest median at $76,010. Of the 476 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 135th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,290 | −16.2% |
| 25th | $62,330 | −8.8% |
| Median (50th) | $63,520 | −7.1% |
| 75th | $76,990 | +12.6% |
| 90th | $79,360 | +16.1% |
| Mean | $67,490 | −1.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | $76,010 | 40 | |
| 2 | Wilmington | $75,820 | 220 | |
| 3 | Durham | $73,970 | 130 | |
| 4 | Charlotte | $70,720 | 870 | |
| 5 | Goldsboro | $69,150 | 30 | |
| 6 | Raleigh | $67,890 | 390 | |
| 7 | Rocky Mount | $65,220 | 70 | |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $64,660 | 180 | |
| 9 | Greensboro | $64,610 | 190 | |
| 10 | Fayetteville | $64,520 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $63,520 goes as far as $67,359 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,359US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,520 a year, 7.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,290 to $79,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 230 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Burlington, at $76,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Eastern North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $63,520, or $30.54 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,380, so pay in Eastern North Carolina, NC is 7.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eastern North Carolina, NC earns more than $79,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,290 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Burlington, at $76,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 230 jobs in this occupation in Eastern North Carolina, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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