Physical Therapist Salary in Charlotte, NC
Physical Therapists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $101,060 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,402 take-home, or $6,367 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,403
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,266
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,465
- North Carolina income tax$3,524
- Take-home pay$76,402
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,840 | $38.87 | $62,984 | $5,249 |
| 25th percentile | $94,070 | $45.23 | $71,764 | $5,980 |
| Median (50th) | $101,060 | $48.59 | $76,402 | $6,367 |
| 75th percentile | $115,370 | $55.47 | $85,898 | $7,158 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,180 | $60.66 | $92,984 | $7,749 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,060 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $76,402 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,484 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physical Therapist jobs are less concentrated in Charlotte, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.72), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #59 of 104 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McAllen, TX | $103,980 | $81,980 | $95,442 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,480 | $90,774 | $90,579 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $102,190 | $80,721 | $89,777 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $106,010 | $83,408 | $88,061 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $104,750 | $80,423 | $87,938 |
| 6 | Jackson, MS | $103,000 | $77,903 | $87,484 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $95,768 | $86,728 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $100,000 | $79,180 | $85,898 |
| 59 | Charlotte, NC | $101,060 | $76,402 | $78,484 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 104 metros →
Physical Therapist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Winston, NC — $101,270
- Greensboro, NC — $99,320
- Durham, NC — $100,240
- Wilmington, NC — $98,770
- Raleigh, NC — $99,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Charlotte, NC?
The median physical therapist salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $101,060 a year, or about $48.59 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $94,070 and $115,370.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $101,060 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $76,402 a year ($6,367 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,524 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,484 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #59 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $189,220
- Pharmacist — $150,580
- Physician Assistant — $133,140
- Nurse Practitioner — $130,310
- Veterinarian — $129,080
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $98,650
- Occupational Therapist — $98,450
- Dental Hygienist — $98,390
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $90,960
- Registered Nurse — $90,620