Physical Therapist salary in South Carolina
Physical Therapists in South Carolina earn a median of $101,330 a year ($48.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,480 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,760. South Carolina ranks 25th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.7 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,100, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,810 | $35.01 |
| 25th percentile | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Median | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| 75th percentile | $111,860 | $53.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,480 | $59.37 |
| Average (mean) | $98,100 | $47.17 |
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 | $8,444.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,222.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,897.31 |
| Weekly | $1,948.65 |
| Hourly | $48.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,480 | $127.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for physical therapists in South Carolina is $101,330 a year, or $48.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of physical therapists in South Carolina earn at least $123,480 a year. The top 25% earn $111,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,810 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $81,850 or less.
How many physical therapists work in South Carolina?
About 3,930 physical therapists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.