Physical Therapist salary in Wilmington, NC
Physical Therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $98,770 a year ($47.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $99,910. There are 2.4 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,270, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| 25th percentile | $80,940 | $38.92 |
| Median | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| 75th percentile | $106,670 | $51.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,570 | $58.45 |
| Average (mean) | $96,270 | $46.28 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $8,230.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,115.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,798.85 |
| Weekly | $1,899.42 |
| Hourly | $47.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount, NC | $103,030 | 80 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $101,950 | 160 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $101,270 | 510 |
| Burlington, NC | $101,120 | 100 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,060 | 1,680 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,840 | 1,470 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $100,240 | 790 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $100,120 | 220 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $99,900 | 1,190 |
| Asheville, NC | $99,480 | 300 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $99,320 | 540 |
| Greenville, NC | $98,020 | 190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $95,190 | 80 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $94,400 | 100 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $89,210 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Pharmacist | $151,790 | $72.98 |
| Physicians, All Other | $252,960 | $121.62 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,700 | $46.49 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,990 | $60.09 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,270 | $63.11 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,420 | $41.55 |
| Dentists, General | $185,720 | $89.29 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| Veterinarian | $131,670 | $63.30 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $218,830 | $105.21 |
| Optometrist | $163,800 | $78.75 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 make in Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $98,770 a year, or $47.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $121,570 a year. The top 25% earn $106,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,470 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $80,940 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Wilmington, NC?
About 460 physical therapists are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.