Physical Therapist Aide salary in South Carolina
Physical Therapist Aides in South Carolina earn a median of $33,280 a year ($16.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,290 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $35,240. South Carolina ranks 30th of 50 states for physical therapist aides pay. There are 0.16 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $33,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,830 | $10.98 |
| 25th percentile | $26,120 | $12.56 |
| Median | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 75th percentile | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Average (mean) | $33,670 | $16.19 |
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 | $2,773.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,386.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,280 |
| Weekly | $640 |
| Hourly | $16.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,280 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 cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $35,740 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| 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 31-2022. 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in South Carolina is $33,280 a year, or $16.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in South Carolina earn at least $45,290 a year. The top 25% earn $37,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,830 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $26,120 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in South Carolina?
About 370 physical therapist aides are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.