Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Summerville, SC: $31.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Summerville, SC runs $31.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,645 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Summerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,783 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Summerville, South Carolina, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $31.08, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate significantly impacts part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants who typically engage in work settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and pediatric therapy spaces. With an hourly range extending from $22.51 at the 10th percentile to as high as $41.97 for the top 90th percentile, those entering the field can expect varying pay levels depending on their experience and the specific environment in which they work. These figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, indicating that while starting salaries may be lower, established professionals can achieve competitive pay within the local market.
About the Summerville 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) | $22.51 | $180.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.56 | $220.50 |
| Median (P50) | $31.08 | $248.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.66 | $293.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.97 | $335.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Summerville
Based on $31.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.08/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Summerville, SC can expect to earn approximately $64,638 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,291. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Summerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Summerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,243.03 | $5,386 | $64,638 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.82 | $3,232 | $38,783 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.21 | $2,155 | $25,855 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Summerville) | $31.08 |
| 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 Summerville, SC earn a median of $64,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.97% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $66,032.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.08/hr = $38,783/year (purchasing power: $42,385).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,638/year (purchasing power: $70,642).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Summerville grew 16.3% from $26.01/hr (2019) to $30.25/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.92/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 Summerville 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 Summerville
Examining part-time earnings, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, clocking 24 hours, could anticipate an annual take-home around $38,560. In contrast, those in per-diem or agency roles often charge anywhere between $32 and $48 per hour, with traveling positions netting workers between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. It's important to recognize that hourly rates fluctuate by the type of employer—outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals tend to offer distinct compensation structures reflecting their operational needs and patient demographic. However, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts effective since 2022 have made many settings, particularly skilled nursing facilities, tighten their payroll, which may influence the acceptance of lower rates for benefits. Negotiating one's pay effectively takes knowledge of these disparities and reflecting on the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and those offering comprehensive health plans, especially in the competitive Summerville area.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Summerville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Summerville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Summerville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Summerville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Summerville?
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 Summerville. 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 Summerville 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