Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $31.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $31.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,025 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,616 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $31.74, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Myrtle Beach, SC, earn slightly less than the national median of $33.77. This rate reflects the skills and expertise required in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a practical income for those balancing other commitments. Entry-level PTAs can expect to start at around $26.10, while more experienced professionals can earn upwards of $39.79 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and showcase the potential for local job seekers in this growing field.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.10 | $208.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.61 | $228.88 |
| Median (P50) | $31.74 | $253.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.66 | $301.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.79 | $318.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $31.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.74/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $66,027 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,092. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.74 | $5,502 | $66,027 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.85 | $3,301 | $39,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.90 | $2,201 | $26,411 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Myrtle Beach) | $31.74 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $66,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.01% lower than the national median of $70,247.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.74/hr = $39,616/year (purchasing power: $42,306).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,027/year (purchasing power: $70,510).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Myrtle Beach grew 13.0% from $27.35/hr (2019) to $30.90/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Myrtle Beach
Assessing part-time earnings, a PTA working 24 hours a week would take home about $39,654 annually, compared to full-time salaries that often surpass $66,025. The per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Myrtle Beach can vary significantly, typically billing between $32 and $48 per hour, especially for positions requiring more flexibility or travel. Agency contracts for PTAs may offer weekly rates from $1,200 to $1,800, although the effects of the 15% Medicare cut since 2022 have led to declines in certain skilled nursing facility roles. Employers differ in their hourly offerings, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often providing competitive pay due to a higher volume of private insurance patients, while health agencies might offer lower rates but compensate through health benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Myrtle Beach can hinge upon understanding these variances and weighing the benefits of salary against essential health insurance and job security options.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Myrtle Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Myrtle Beach?
Are physical therapist assistants in Myrtle Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Myrtle Beach?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Myrtle Beach?
Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Myrtle Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov