Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$75,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$72,816 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$64,254 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $101,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $77,770▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $129,280▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $161,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,816▲ | $54,011 | +$18,805 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,182 | $86,931▲ | -$20,749 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,254▲ | $46,487 | +$17,767 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 102,000 | -69,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($72,816 vs $54,011 equivalent). Raleigh, 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.