Healthcare Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Physical Therapist Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median physical therapist salary in Durham, NC is $92,834 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$92,834
vs State Avg
+$2,932
vs National
$-4,886
Cost of Living
95%

Physical Therapist Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median physical therapist salary of $92,834, which is $2,932 above the North Carolina state average of $89,902. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Durham spans from $63,460 at the 10th percentile to $123,690 at the 90th percentile — a $60,230 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,600, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $121,600. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $64,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $121,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,600
$-3,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$93,100
$-4,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$121,600
$-6,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $63,460
25th Percentile $76,190
Median (50th) $92,834
75th Percentile $110,580
90th Percentile $123,690

Physical Therapist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$95,766
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$95,766
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$85,994
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$84,039
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Durham

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Durham

Browse open physical therapist positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Durham

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Durham, North Carolina is $92,834 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $63,460 (10th percentile) to $123,690 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $92,834, a physical therapist in Durham earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Durham's median physical therapist salary of $92,834 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $89,902. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $92,834 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Durham? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Durham require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.