Physical Therapist Aide salary in Wilmington, NC
Physical Therapist Aides in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $31,510 a year ($15.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,840 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is 9% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $34,760. There are 0.43 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,960 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| Median | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| 75th percentile | $34,680 | $16.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Average (mean) | $34,470 | $16.57 |
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 | $2,625.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,312.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,211.92 |
| Weekly | $605.96 |
| Hourly | $15.15 |
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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $37,580 | 70 |
| 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 |
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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $49,590 | $23.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $31,510 a year, or $15.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $37,840 a year. The top 25% earn $34,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,960 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $30,600 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Wilmington, NC?
About 80 physical therapist aides are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.