Physical Therapist Salary in Hickory, NC: $104,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Hickory, NC earns a median $104,458/year (≈ $50.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $118,050 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Hickory, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $104,458, a figure that slightly trails the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $80,626 and the highest approaching $126,251. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Factors such as work setting contribute to compensation structures; outpatient clinics often align pay scales differently compared to hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities. In Hickory, the choice between outpatient chains and hospital employment can significantly impact one's overall earnings, as outpatient positions may provide fewer benefits but offer productivity bonuses based on patient volumes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,626 | $38.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,499 | $45.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,458 | $50.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,177 | $54.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,251 | $60.70 |
Median Salary Position
0.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,625 (2026 est.). At $104,458, the local median is 0.79% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be above the median
How Hickory Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $104,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,309 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.79% less |
Physical Therapists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $104,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% above the North Carolina state average of $102,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,458 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $118,050 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,730
2025 BLS Actual
$101,950
2026 Current Est.
$104,458
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.2% from $87,730 (2019) to $101,950 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,298 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,626 – $94,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,499 – $104,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,458 – $113,177 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,177 – $126,251 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Hickory
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 160 physical therapists employed in Hickory, presenting a sustainable environment for aspiring professionals. The cost of living index in the area stands at 88.486, indicating that the purchasing power for physical therapist pay in Hickory, NC, is relatively strong compared to national standards. Typically, outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico or private practices offer competitive salaries, especially when productivity expectations are met. The disparity in compensation often stems from factors such as the number of patient visits, board specialization certifications like OCS or SCS, and the practice setting—cash-pay models tend to yield higher earnings. To maximize pay potential, physical therapists should focus on enhancing their credentials through board certifications and consider exploring roles in high-demand settings where productivity metrics align with compensation.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Hickory, NC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Hickory?
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $101,950 for physical therapistsin the Hickory metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov