Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $62,920 a year ($30.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,520 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 11% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $70,500. There are 0.76 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| 25th percentile | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| Median | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 75th percentile | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,520 | $39.19 |
| Average (mean) | $65,480 | $31.48 |
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 | $5,243.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,621.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,420 |
| Weekly | $1,210 |
| Hourly | $30.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,920 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 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 31-2021. 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $62,920 a year, or $30.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $81,520 a year. The top 25% earn $76,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,150 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $58,740 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 300 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.