Physical Therapist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Physical Therapists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $99,900 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,632 take-home, or $6,303 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,148
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,194
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,449
- North Carolina income tax$3,477
- Take-home pay$75,632
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,490 | $37.74 | $61,425 | $5,119 |
| 25th percentile | $85,320 | $41.02 | $65,957 | $5,496 |
| Median (50th) | $99,900 | $48.03 | $75,632 | $6,303 |
| 75th percentile | $110,740 | $53.24 | $82,826 | $6,902 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,530 | $61.31 | $93,853 | $7,821 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,900 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $75,632 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,052 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 about as common in Raleigh, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #70 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 |
| 70 | Raleigh, NC | $99,900 | $75,632 | $77,052 |
*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
- Durham, NC — $100,240
- Wilmington, NC — $98,770
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median physical therapist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $99,900 a year, or about $48.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,320 and $110,740.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $99,900 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $75,632 a year ($6,303 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,477 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,052 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #70 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $207,380
- Pharmacist — $133,120
- Veterinarian — $130,350
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,150
- Physician Assistant — $124,300
- Dental Hygienist — $98,800
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $87,400
- Registered Nurse — $84,830
- Occupational Therapist — $84,080
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $68,210