Physical Therapist Aide salary in Columbia, SC
Physical Therapist Aides in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $35,740 a year ($17.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,000 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $33,280. There are 0.18 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $35,080, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,700 | $12.36 |
| 25th percentile | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| Median | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 75th percentile | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Average (mean) | $35,080 | $16.87 |
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 | $2,978.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,489.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,374.62 |
| Weekly | $687.31 |
| Hourly | $17.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,740 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,410 | 170 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $34,110 | 60 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Columbia, SC metro area is $35,740 a year, or $17.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $43,000 a year. The top 25% earn $36,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,700 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $30,440 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Columbia, SC?
About 70 physical therapist aides are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.