Physical Therapist Assistant salary in South Carolina
Physical Therapist Assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $70,500 a year ($33.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $68,380. South Carolina ranks 16th of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.81 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,260, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| 25th percentile | $59,750 | $28.72 |
| Median | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| 75th percentile | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,070 | $42.34 |
| Average (mean) | $68,260 | $32.82 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $5,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,937.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,711.54 |
| Weekly | $1,355.77 |
| Hourly | $33.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,500 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 Assistant salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $88,070 | 160 |
| Florence, SC | $75,920 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $74,140 | 380 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $70,720 | 870 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $64,270 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $62,920 | 300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $62,510 | 150 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $62,270 | 280 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $58,190 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,000 | $27.88 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Orderly | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $33,870 | $16.29 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. 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 assistant make in South Carolina?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in South Carolina is $70,500 a year, or $33.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in South Carolina earn at least $88,070 a year. The top 25% earn $78,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,510 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $59,750 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in South Carolina?
About 1,870 physical therapist assistants are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.