Physical Therapist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Physical Therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $101,550 a year ($48.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,780 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $101,330. There are 1.8 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,570, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 25th percentile | $83,230 | $40.02 |
| Median | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| 75th percentile | $119,010 | $57.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,780 | $60.95 |
| Average (mean) | $100,570 | $48.35 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $8,462.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,231.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,905.77 |
| Weekly | $1,952.88 |
| Hourly | $48.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,550 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 salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $111,860 | 350 |
| Florence, SC | $108,160 | 110 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $102,480 | 240 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,060 | 1,680 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $101,020 | 940 |
| Sumter, SC | $100,520 | 50 |
| Columbia, SC | $99,840 | 670 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $97,260 | 330 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $96,940 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | $44.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Dentists, General | $121,090 | $58.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,790 | $47.50 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,650 | $122.91 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Chiropractor | $76,750 | $36.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1123. 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 make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $101,550 a year, or $48.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $126,780 a year. The top 25% earn $119,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,000 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $83,230 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 690 physical therapists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.