Physical Therapist Aide salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Physical Therapist Aides in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $34,110 a year ($16.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,700 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $33,280. There are 0.16 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $35,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,120 | $12.56 |
| 25th percentile | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| Median | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| 75th percentile | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Average (mean) | $35,580 | $17.11 |
Half of physical therapist aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,842.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,421.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,311.92 |
| Weekly | $655.96 |
| Hourly | $16.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $35,740 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,410 | 170 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $31,200 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,910 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
See Physical Therapist Aide pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,770 | $36.43 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,100 | $16.40 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,820 | $19.15 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $34,650 | $16.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $34,110 a year, or $16.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $45,700 a year. The top 25% earn $38,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,120 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $30,450 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 60 physical therapist aides are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.