Physical Therapist Aide salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Physical Therapist Aides in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $37,580 a year ($18.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,890 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is 8% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $34,760. There are 0.19 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $41,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| 25th percentile | $33,620 | $16.16 |
| Median | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| 75th percentile | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,890 | $36.97 |
| Average (mean) | $41,770 | $20.08 |
Half of physical therapist aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,445.38 |
| Weekly | $722.69 |
| Hourly | $18.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $37,610 | 60 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,420 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,410 | 170 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $35,370 | 170 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $34,760 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $34,530 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $34,280 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,200 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $31,510 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
See Physical Therapist Aide pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,230 | $31.84 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,230 | $21.27 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $37,580 a year, or $18.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $76,890 a year. The top 25% earn $39,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,130 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $33,620 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 70 physical therapist aides are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.