Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lexington, SC: $62,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lexington, SC earns a median $62,363/year (≈ $29.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $68,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Lexington, South Carolina can expect to see a median salary of $62,363 in 2026, which lags behind the national median of $70,247 by about 11.22%. The salary range is quite varied, with entry-level positions earning around $44,158 and top earners making up to $75,146. These figures stem from estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting the local economic conditions. In this market, productivity expectations play a vital role, with visit counts significantly influencing overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those entering or advancing in the field in Lexington.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,158 | $21.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,409 | $26.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,363 | $29.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,854 | $33.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,146 | $36.13 |
Median Salary Position
11.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,988 (2026 est.). At $62,363, the local median is 11.22% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lexington median: $62,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $65,993 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.22% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lexington, SC earn a median of $62,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $65,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,156 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,192
2025 BLS Actual
$60,706
2026 Current Est.
$62,363
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,314 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,192 (2019) to $60,706 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,874 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $44,158 – $54,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,409 – $62,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,363 – $68,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,854 – $75,146 |
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 Lexington
The job market in Lexington aligns with the broader state trends, with only five physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area. The cost of living index is relatively low at 91.5, which means that salaries, though below the national average, can still afford a decent quality of life for practitioners. Employers vary in compensation levels, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often providing the highest pay, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings. Factors such as workplace setting, productivity metrics, and the impact of Medicare’s reimbursement cuts can cause significant salary fluctuations. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Lexington SC, professionals should consider seeking employment at higher-paying facilities, being flexible with their schedules, and pursuing opportunities that allow for additional responsibilities, like supervision. Capitalizing on these strategies can help mitigate the financial constraints imposed by the local market.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lexington, SC in 2026?
Is Lexington, SC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lexington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lexington?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Lexington?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $60,706 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lexington 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
Salary data for Lexington 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