Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in North Carolina

North Carolina PT Tech Job Market

North Carolina offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries -8% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

2,650+ PT Tech positions open annually across North Carolina. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$32,680 average salary, -8% vs national vs national. Metro North Carolina pays even higher—up to $42,500 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to Duke University Health System and other leading healthcare facilities across North Carolina.

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Career Growth

Major employers offer tuition reimbursement for PT Techs pursuing PTA degrees. Clear advancement pathways available.

What Physical Therapy Technicians Do

PT Techs work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists, providing essential support for patient care and clinic operations.

✓ Daily PT Tech Responsibilities

● Patient Exercise Assistance: Guide patients through therapeutic exercises prescribed by the PT, ensuring proper form and safety
● Treatment Preparation: Set up treatment areas, prepare equipment, apply hot/cold packs, and ready modalities like ultrasound
● Patient Transfers: Assist patients with mobility, transfers between surfaces, and safe ambulation with devices
● Equipment Maintenance: Clean, sanitize, and maintain therapy equipment; report any malfunctions
● Documentation Support: Record patient attendance, exercise completion, and observations for PT review
● Patient Transport: Escort patients to and from treatment areas; assist with wheelchairs and walkers

🏥 Work Settings in North Carolina

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—Wake Forest Baptist Health alone has 100+ NC locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: Duke University Health System and hospital rehab units. Complex cases including stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries.
● Hospital PT Departments: Acute care settings at major systems like Hackensack Meridian and Atrium Health (Advocate).
● Skilled Nursing Facilities: Post-acute rehabilitation for elderly patients. Consistent schedules, growing demand.
● Sports Medicine: Athletic training facilities, sports PT clinics. Work with athletes at all levels.
● Home Health: Travel to patient homes. Higher pay, mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling.

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PT Tech vs. Other Healthcare Roles

Physical Therapy Technicians focus specifically on PT support tasks. PT Techs do not perform clinical tasks like blood draws, EKGs, medication administration, or wound care—those are performed by nurses, PCTs, or medical assistants. PT Techs work exclusively within the physical therapy department under PT supervision.

Top PT Tech Employers in North Carolina

North Carolina's largest health systems and rehabilitation facilities are actively hiring PT Techs. These employers offer competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

Duke University Health System

North Carolina's Largest

Durham

#10 ranked hospital nationally

919-684-8111 View Jobs →

UNC Health

North Carolina's Largest

Chapel Hill/Statewide

State's largest system

984-974-1000 View Jobs →

Atrium Health (Advocate)

Regional System

Charlotte

Major regional system

704-355-2000 View Jobs →

Wake Forest Baptist Health

Academic

Winston-Salem

Academic medical center

336-716-2011 View Jobs →

Vidant Health

Established Provider

Greenville/Eastern NC

Eastern NC leader

252-847-4100 View Jobs →

Novant Health

Rural North Carolina

Rural areas

Major NC health system

704-384-4000 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across North Carolina

Salaries vary across North Carolina regions. Metro North Carolina typically pays highest, while Rural North Carolina offers different cost-of-living dynamics.

Metro North Carolina

Major metro areas

$37K-$40K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban North Carolina

Suburban counties

$32K-$37K

Balanced cost/salary

Central North Carolina

Central regions

$29K-$34K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural North Carolina

Rural areas

$27K-$31K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro North Carolina pays highest, Rural North Carolina's lower housing costs often result in similar take-home purchasing power. Consider total compensation including benefits, commute time, and quality of life.

How to Land a PT Tech Job in North Carolina

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in North Carolina's competitive PT Tech job market.

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1. Get Certified

Complete PT Tech training and earn your CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification significantly improves your competitiveness, especially at top facilities like Duke University Health System.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. Duke University Health System, UNC Health, and Atrium Health (Advocate) have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend NC Physical Therapy Association events. Connect with PTs during your externship. Many PT Tech positions are filled through referrals before being posted publicly.

Ready to Start Your PT Tech Career?

Complete EHired's free PT Tech training program and gain the skills North Carolina employers are looking for.

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Make a one-time payment when you're ready to challenge for certification and start working

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Physical Therapy Technicians do on the job in North Carolina?

PT Techs in North Carolina prepare treatment areas and equipment, assist patients with therapeutic exercises under PT supervision, help with patient transfers and mobility, apply hot/cold packs, set up treatment modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, transport patients, maintain equipment, and document patient progress. They work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.

Which employers hire the most PT Techs in North Carolina?

Major PT Tech employers in North Carolina include Duke University Health System (#4 ranked nationally), UNC Health (NC's largest system), Atrium Health (Advocate), Wake Forest Baptist Health (largest private PT practice in tristate), Vidant Health, and Novant Health. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in North Carolina?

Physical Therapy Technicians in North Carolina earn an average of $32,680 per year (-8% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $23,200, experienced PT Techs earn $37,900+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $42,500+. Metro North Carolina generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

North Carolina PT Techs work in outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospital rehabilitation departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine centers, home health agencies, and specialty practices like pediatric or neurological PT. Outpatient clinics are the most common setting, followed by hospital-based positions.

Do I need certification to get a PT Tech job in North Carolina?

North Carolina does not require state licensure for PT Techs—you work under PT supervision. However, employers strongly prefer candidates with formal training and CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification demonstrates competency and significantly improves job prospects, especially at competitive employers like Duke University Health System and major health systems.