Physical Therapist Salary in Wilmington, NC
Physical Therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median $98,770 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,882 take-home, or $6,240 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Wilmington, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,899
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,124
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,432
- North Carolina income tax$3,432
- Take-home pay$74,882
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Wilmington, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,470 | $36.28 | $59,421 | $4,952 |
| 25th percentile | $80,940 | $38.91 | $63,051 | $5,254 |
| Median (50th) | $98,770 | $47.49 | $74,882 | $6,240 |
| 75th percentile | $106,670 | $51.28 | $80,125 | $6,677 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,570 | $58.45 | $90,013 | $7,501 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,770 buys in Wilmington, NC
Prices in Wilmington, NC are 3.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $74,882 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,661 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Wilmington, NC has 1.4× 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
Wilmington, NC ranks #65 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 |
| 65 | Wilmington, NC | $98,770 | $74,882 | $77,661 |
*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
- Raleigh, NC — $99,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Wilmington, NC?
The median physical therapist salary in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $98,770 a year, or about $47.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,940 and $106,670.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Wilmington, NC?
On the median $98,770 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $74,882 a year ($6,240 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,432 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 3.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,661 would in a typical U.S. city. Wilmington, NC ranks #65 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Wilmington, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wilmington, NC is $1,380 a month ($1,512 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 Wilmington, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $151,790
- Dental Hygienist — $96,700
- Registered Nurse — $80,970
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $63,390
- Pharmacy Technician — $44,300