How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 1,050 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,760 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in North Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in North Carolina
How do I become a physical therapy aide in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Physical Therapy Assistants (Military Permits), Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing authority is the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in North Carolina is $34,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,920 and experienced professionals can earn $72,890 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
- Median wage (North Carolina): $34,760 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners oversees physical therapy aide licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy Assistants (Military Permits) | Permits to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant issued to Military Endorsement Applicants prior to completing the requirements for a Physical Therapist Assistant license, pursuant to G.S. |
| Physical Therapist | Physical Therapists plan and administer Physical Therapy treatment programs for patients in order to relieve pain and prevent disabilities after disease, injury, or the loss of a body part. |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | Physical Therapist Assistants work under the direction of, and as an assistant to, a Physical Therapist in administering Physical Therapy treatment, pursuant to G.S. 90-270.90. Definitions. |
| Compact Privilege Physical Therapist Assistant | A ?compact privilege? means the authorization granted by NCBPTE to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as a physical therapist or work as a physical therapist assistant in the remot… |
| Compact Privilege Physical Therapist | A ?compact privilege? means the authorization granted by NCBPTE to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as a physical therapist or work as a physical therapist assistant in the remot… |
| Physical Therapist (Military Permits) | Permits to practice as a Physical Therapist issued to Military Endorsement Applicants prior to completing the requirements for a Physical Therapy license, pursuant to G.S. 93B-15. |
| NC Physical Therapist Temporary Exemption from Licensure | During the NC State of Emergency, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NC Board of PT Examiners is issuing temporary exemptions from licensure for PTs and PTAs who can validate they have an active licens… |
| NC Physical Therapist Assistant Temporary Exemption from Licensure | During the NC State of Emergency, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NC Board of PT Examiners is issuing temporary exemptions from licensure for PTs and PTAs who can validate they have an active licens… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 270 | $34,280 | $35,890 | $26,250 | $42,140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 170 | $35,410 | $39,300 | $28,890 | $46,880 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 170 | $35,370 | $40,610 | $27,840 | $76,120 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 80 | $34,530 | $39,660 | $30,200 | $66,380 |
| Wilmington | 80 | $31,510 | $34,470 | $29,960 | $37,840 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 70 | $37,580 | $41,770 | $32,130 | $76,890 |
| Asheville | 60 | $35,420 | $43,760 | $30,980 | $75,620 |
| Winston-Salem | 60 | $37,610 | $41,500 | $30,100 | $74,020 |
| Fayetteville | 50 | $34,200 | $43,710 | $29,240 | $72,820 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 40 | $34,760 | $42,260 | $31,040 | $74,010 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 170 | $35,410 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 170 | $35,370 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 80 | $34,530 |
| Wilmington | 80 | $31,510 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 70 | $37,580 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 1,050 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in North Carolina is $34,760, which is $240 above the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www2.ncptboard.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |