Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Charlotte, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$69,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$67,647 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$59,693 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $101,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $77,770▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $129,280▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $161,600▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 187 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,647▲ | $54,011 | +$13,636 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,887 | $86,931▲ | -$26,044 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,693▲ | $46,487 | +$13,206 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 102,000 | -72,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 187), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($67,647 vs $54,011 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 6.85%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.