Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$70,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.89
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $68,380
State Rank
#16 of 51
1,870 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in South Carolina?

A Physical Therapist Assistant working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $70,500 per year, or about $33.89 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $68,380 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $47,510 while the top 10% make $88,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,750 and $78,890 a year.

Physical Therapist Assistant salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,510$22.84
25th percentile (early career)$59,750$28.73
50th percentile (median)$70,500$33.89
75th percentile (experienced)$78,890$37.93
90th percentile (top earners)$88,070$42.34

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$83,110
2Massachusetts$79,460
3New Jersey$78,440
4Texas$78,000
5Maryland$77,670

Working as a Physical Therapist Assistant in South Carolina

Nationally, about 112,000 people work as Physical Therapist Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($70,500) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in South Carolina?
The median Physical Therapist Assistant salary in South Carolina is $70,500 per year, or about $33.89 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,510 at the entry level to $88,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Physical Therapist Assistants about 3% more than the national median of $68,380. South Carolina ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,500 a year. About 1,870 Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physical Therapist Assistant salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.