Healthcare Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

Physical Therapist Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median physical therapist salary in Raleigh, NC is $95,766 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$95,766
vs State Avg
+$5,864
vs National
$-1,954
Cost of Living
98%

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

Raleigh offers a median physical therapist salary of $95,766, which is $5,864 above the North Carolina state average of $89,902. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Raleigh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Raleigh's cost of living is 98% 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 Raleigh spans from $65,464 at the 10th percentile to $127,596 at the 90th percentile — a $62,132 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,640, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $125,440. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $66,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $125,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,640
$-1,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$96,040
$-1,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$125,440
$-2,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
10th Percentile $65,464
25th Percentile $78,596
Median (50th) $95,766
75th Percentile $114,072
90th Percentile $127,596

Physical Therapist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$95,766
Pop. 874,579
Durham, NC
$92,834
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$85,994
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$84,039
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Raleigh

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Raleigh 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 Raleigh may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open physical therapist positions in Raleigh, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Raleigh

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $95,766 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $65,464 (10th percentile) to $127,596 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,766, a physical therapist in Raleigh earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Raleigh's median physical therapist salary of $95,766 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $89,902. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $95,766 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Raleigh? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Raleigh 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.