Average Physical Therapist Salary in North Carolina

Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities. They develop individualized treatment plans combining manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education to restore function, reduce pain, and prevent disability. Physical therapy spans a wide range of settings and specialties — orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, sports medicine, geriatrics, and acute care — each with different patient populations and salary dynamics. The national median annual salary is approximately $99,710, with specialized and travel PTs frequently earning over $120,000.

In North Carolina, physical therapists earn an average of $97,918 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $64,165 for entry-level roles to $143,418 for the most experienced professionals — +1.8% below the national average. Pay is influenced most by specialty and board certification (ocs, scs, ncs) — certified specialists earn 10–20% more, setting — travel pt contracts often pay $1,800–$3,000+/week versus staff positions, and the specific metro area within North Carolina.