Physical Therapist Salary in Durham, NC
Physical Therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $100,240 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,858 take-home, or $6,321 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,223
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,215
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,453
- North Carolina income tax$3,491
- Take-home pay$75,858
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,720 | $38.81 | $62,905 | $5,242 |
| 25th percentile | $80,790 | $38.84 | $62,951 | $5,246 |
| Median (50th) | $100,240 | $48.19 | $75,858 | $6,321 |
| 75th percentile | $105,580 | $50.76 | $79,402 | $6,617 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,880 | $60.52 | $92,791 | $7,733 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $100,240 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $75,858 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,746 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.3× the national concentration of physical therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #64 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 |
| 64 | Durham, NC | $100,240 | $75,858 | $77,746 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $101,060
- Wilmington, NC — $98,770
- Raleigh, NC — $99,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Durham, NC?
The median physical therapist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $100,240 a year, or about $48.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,790 and $105,580.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $100,240 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $75,858 a year ($6,321 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,491 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,746 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #64 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Pharmacist — $141,360
- Physician Assistant — $132,670
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,300
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,430
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $66,950
- Medical Records Specialist — $57,290
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $54,610
- Pharmacy Technician — $47,350