Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Rock Hill, SC: $65,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Rock Hill, SC earns a median $65,760/year (≈ $31.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Rock Hill's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $71,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in Rock Hill, South Carolina, is set at $65,760. This figure is slightly below the national median of $70,247, indicating a competitive yet challenging local market. Salary expectations for this role range significantly, with the lower tenth percentile (P10) at $43,896 and the upper ninetieth percentile (P90) reaching $88,631. These salaries are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities, reflecting both local economic conditions and the productivity expectations that drive effective compensation in the field.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,896 | $21.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,225 | $27.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,760 | $31.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,486 | $37.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,631 | $42.61 |
Median Salary Position
6.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Hill
In Rock Hill, SC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,735 (2026 est.). At $65,760, the local median is 6.39% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Hill Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Rock Hill median: $65,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $66,024 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.39% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $65,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $66,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Hill 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.
Rock Hill, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,760 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,869 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,035
2025 BLS Actual
$64,012
2026 Current Est.
$65,760
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,035 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,272 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,987 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,502 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,012 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Hill metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $55,035 (2019) to $64,012 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,520 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Hill 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) | $43,896 – $58,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,225 – $65,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,760 – $77,486 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,486 – $88,631 |
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 Rock Hill
With only 11 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Rock Hill, the job market for this profession remains relatively tight, necessitating strategic decisions from those entering the field. The cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that while the salary may seem lower than the national average, it offers reasonable purchasing power within the local economy. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide the highest salaries among local employers, typically surpassing skilled nursing facilities due to their ability to maintain productivity and billable services under Medicare regulations. Variance in pay can stem from factors such as employment settings, with hospitals generally offering higher wages compared to outpatient practices. Additionally, weekend and PRN shifts often offer pay premiums, which can further enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Rock Hill SC, focusing on outpatient settings and seeking additional certifications or specialized skills can improve competitive positioning in a landscape affected by factors like the Medicare 15% cut impacting reimbursement rates for PTA services.
More salary data for Rock Hill, 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 $64,012 for physical therapist assistantsin the Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill 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