Physical Therapist salary in Columbia, SC
Physical Therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $99,840 a year ($48.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,260 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $101,330. There are 1.7 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,060, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| 25th percentile | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| Median | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| 75th percentile | $108,800 | $52.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,260 | $56.86 |
| Average (mean) | $94,060 | $45.22 |
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 | $8,320 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,160 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,840 |
| Weekly | $1,920 |
| Hourly | $48.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $101,550 | 690 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,060 | 1,680 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $101,020 | 940 |
| Sumter, SC | $100,520 | 50 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $99,840 a year, or $48.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $118,260 a year. The top 25% earn $108,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,880 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $78,320 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Columbia, SC?
About 670 physical therapists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.