Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Columbia, SC: $64,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Columbia, SC earns a median $64,638/year (≈ $31.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $69,012 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average physical therapist assistant salary in Columbia, SC, is projected at $64,638, reflecting the dynamic shifts in healthcare settings, particularly following the Medicare cuts that impacted outpatient and skilled nursing facilities. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals a salary range from $44,328 to $83,745, with significant implications for how PTAs navigate their career opportunities in the area. The divergence in pay is notable, as healthcare trends have influenced the financial landscape for PTAs. With an increasing number of positions opening in outpatient settings compared to the stagnation in skilled nursing facilities due to reduced reimbursement levels, prospective PTAs must remain engaged with evolving market conditions to maximize their potential earnings in Columbia.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,328 | $21.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,344 | $29.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,638 | $31.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,794 | $37.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,745 | $40.26 |
Median Salary Position
7.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,417 (2026 est.). At $64,638, the local median is 7.98% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $64,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $66,024 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.98% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbia, SC earn a median of $64,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.98% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $66,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,012 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,660
2025 BLS Actual
$62,920
2026 Current Est.
$64,638
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 11.0% from $56,660 (2019) to $62,920 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,742 (17.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $44,328 – $60,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,344 – $64,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,638 – $78,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,794 – $83,745 |
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 Columbia
The job market in Columbia currently employs about 300 physical therapist assistants, a figure that underscores the steady demand for this occupation. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.662—indicating that living expenses are below the national average—PTAs may find their purchasing power relatively advantageous. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab typically offer higher wages, while skilled nursing facilities have seen a compression of pay due to the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements impacting treatments provided by PTAs. The spread between lower and higher compensation highlights the importance of setting, productivity expectations, and additional responsibilities like supervision. To enhance earnings, current PTAs in Columbia should consider minimizing hours in lower-paying SNF positions, seek employment in higher-paying outpatient settings, and explore opportunities for PRN work, which often come with premium rates. By navigating these aspects wisely, PTAs can ensure their career development is aligned with both market trends and income maximization strategies.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 $62,920 for physical therapist assistantsin the Columbia 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