Physical Therapist Assistant
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
The Physical Therapy Assistant assists the Physical Therapist in the provision of physical therapy patient care in the acute care setting by implementing non-evaluative treatment programs established by the physical therapist for the patients. Provides age-specific direct patient care according to the department's scope of service and may supervise student. This position may be required to cover other areas in the WakeMed Rehab continuum.
Department Description
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is the leading provider of health services in Wake County. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of our community, we are committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care. For more information, visit wakemed.org.
EOE
Licensure
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant Required
Education
Associate's Degree Physical Therapy Required
Experience
1 Year Clinical - Physical Therapy Preferred
Key Responsibilities
The Physical Therapist Assistant implements non-evaluative treatment programs established by the physical therapist for patients in an acute care setting. They provide age-specific direct patient care and may supervise students within the department's scope of service.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a valid Physical Therapy Assistant license and possess an Associate's Degree in Physical Therapy. At least one year of clinical experience in physical therapy is preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Associate degree
Key Skills
Physical Therapist Career Context
In North Carolina, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$90k (599 salary observations; 1,901 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (15,367 salary observations; 58,963 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina vs national | $90k median in North Carolina | $94k nationally (−4%)599 state / 15,367 national salary observations |
| Cost of living | North Carolina index 94.3 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Physical Therapy listings in North Carolina | 758 active | 22,211 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | North Carolina Physical Therapist listings: 32% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 28% offer loan repayment786 active listings, Oct 2026 |
Top PTA Jobs
6 matches · ranked by payWork-Life Balance Distribution
6 jobs · 4 employersHigher = better work-life balance
Physical Therapist Assistant, Outpatient, Sports/Orthopedics
Advocate Health · Kernersville, North Carolina
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Millsboro Delaware
Aquacare & Fitness Forum Physical Therapy · Millsboro, Delaware
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Millville Delaware
$27-$35/hrPhysical Therapist Assistant
$30-$35/hrWork-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,946 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Living in Raleigh
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $369k
- Typical market rent
- $1,572/mo
- Residents’ average commute
- 23 min
- Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
- 98.2
- State income tax
- Up to 4.8%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
BEA 2024 · Raleigh-Cary, NC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.
City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.