Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Simpsonville, SC: $30.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Simpsonville, SC runs $30.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Simpsonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,142 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Simpsonville, South Carolina, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $30.56, which is somewhat lower than the national median of $33.77. This pay scale sets the stage for various employment scenarios, whether one opts for full-time, part-time (working three days a week), or per-diem positions. Specifically, part-time work allows PTAs to take advantage of flexible schedules typical in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces. For entry-level assistants, hourly pay starts at around $22.76, while those at the top of the scale can earn up to $37.89. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the broad opportunities and varying financial outcomes available to practitioners across different work environments in Simpsonville.
About the Simpsonville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.76 | $182.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.41 | $219.27 |
| Median (P50) | $30.56 | $244.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.47 | $275.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.89 | $303.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Simpsonville
Based on $30.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.56/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Simpsonville, SC can expect to earn approximately $63,569 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,675. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Simpsonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Simpsonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,222.49 | $5,297 | $63,569 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.49 | $3,178 | $38,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.99 | $2,119 | $25,428 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Simpsonville) | $30.56 |
| 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 Simpsonville, SC earn a median of $63,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.49% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.70% below the South Carolina state average of $66,022.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.56/hr = $38,142/year (purchasing power: $41,685).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,569/year (purchasing power: $69,475).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Simpsonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Simpsonville grew 16.3% from $25.58/hr (2019) to $29.75/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.40/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 Simpsonville 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 Simpsonville
Delving into the earnings structure, a physical therapist assistant working part-time for three days a week can expect to take home approximately $46,000 annually, a significant difference compared to full-time peers. Per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in Simpsonville ranges from about $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contracts often yielding a weekly compensation of $1,200 to $1,800. However, the recent 15% Medicare cut has impacted earnings, particularly in skilled nursing facilities where agency pay may have diminished. Hourly rates fluctuate considerably among employer types; inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies have distinct pay structures. Many PTAs might prefer the trade-off of a lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others seek higher pay without benefits, fostering a negotiation dynamic unique to the field. For those interested, it's wise to be informed about specific employer expectations in Simpsonville to optimize pay discussions effectively.
More salary data for Simpsonville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Simpsonville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Simpsonville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Simpsonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Simpsonville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Simpsonville?
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 Simpsonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Simpsonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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