Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Charleston, SC: $63,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Charleston, SC earns a median $63,970/year (≈ $30.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $63,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) is $63,970 for 2026, reflecting the complications arising from structural shifts in care settings following recent Medicare cuts. Historically, the divide between outpatient and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) has shaped employment rates and salary standards in the market. As PTAs pivot away from heavily Medicare-dependent environments due to the 15% reimbursement decrease that took effect in 2022, the salary landscape has adjusted accordingly. This shift explains the wide salary range for PTAs in the region, with figures stretching from $38,287 at the 10th percentile to $93,792 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, provides a snapshot of the evolving job market for PTAs in Charleston, where fiscal dynamics are steering professionals towards more lucrative positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,532 | $28.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,112 | $39.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,792 | $45.10 |
Median Salary Position
8.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,505 (2026 est.). At $63,970, the local median is 8.94% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $63,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $66,016 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.94% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Charleston, SC earn a median of $63,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.94% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.10% below the South Carolina state average of $66,016.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,970 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,360 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,690
2025 BLS Actual
$62,270
2026 Current Est.
$63,970
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 9.8% from $56,690 (2019) to $62,270 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,026 (15.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,287 – $59,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,532 – $63,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,970 – $82,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,112 – $93,792 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Charleston
Charleston's job market currently employs approximately 280 physical therapist assistants, and while the cost-of-living index is slightly above the national average at 100.962, it can affect the purchasing power of local wages. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, often chains or private practices, typically offer the highest pay, followed by inpatient rehabilitation services and home health agencies. The disparity in earnings is driven by factors such as setting and productivity expectations. Hospital roles generally command higher salaries than outpatient positions, particularly due to weekend and PRN work incentives. To successfully enhance earnings, PTAs in Charleston may consider aligning with employers who focus on high-demand specialties, like pediatric therapy, or pursuing further certifications and advancement pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT programs. Understanding these elements is critical for maximizing physical therapist assistant pay in Charleston, SC.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,270 for physical therapist assistantsin the Charleston metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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