Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $90,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Spartanburg, SC earns a median $90,474/year (≈ $43.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Spartanburg's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $99,366 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 37.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, the financial landscape for physical therapist assistants is notably strong, particularly following shifts in reimbursement structures that followed Medicare cuts. The projected median annual salary for this role in 2026 is $90,474, which significantly exceeds the national median of $70,247 for the same year, marking a 28.79% advantage for local professionals. Salaries in this market can range from $58,166 at the lower end to $90,834 for the highest earners, highlighting a diverse earning potential within various settings. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys reflects this healthy compensation environment, set against recent changes that have impacted payment structures in outpatient versus skilled nursing facilities. These financial distinctions are essential for prospective physical therapist assistants considering Spartanburg as their career base.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,166 | $27.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,648 | $32.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,474 | $43.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,474 | $43.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,834 | $43.67 |
Median Salary Position
28.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, SC, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,668 (2026 est.). At $90,474, the local median is 28.79% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Spartanburg: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Spartanburg Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Spartanburg median: $90,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spartanburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $66,040 | +37.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +28.79% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $90,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.79% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 37.00% above the South Carolina state average of $66,040.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spartanburg has a cost of living 8.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spartanburg, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.051 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $90,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,366 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.83% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,040
2025 BLS Actual
$88,070
2026 Current Est.
$90,474
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spartanburg metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 51.7% from $58,040 (2019) to $88,070 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,904 (60.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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) | $58,166 – $67,648 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,648 – $90,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,474 – $90,474 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,474 – $90,834 |
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 Spartanburg
The local job market for physical therapist assistants remains robust, with about 160 individuals currently employed in the area. Given Spartanburg’s cost of living index of 91.051, compensation levels provide a competitive purchasing power compared to national averages. The most lucrative positions are likely found in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, as these settings typically offer higher wages than skilled nursing facilities, where salaries have been compressed due to the impact of the Medicare 15% cut. A range of factors contributes to the pay disparity, including work expectations, productivity metrics, and supervisory requirements mandated by state law. For those seeking to maximize their physical therapist assistant salary in Spartanburg, aligning career choices with high-paying employers, pursuing additional certifications, and considering bridge pathways to DPT programs may be effective strategies for enhancing long-term earning potential.
More salary data for Spartanburg, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Spartanburg, SC in 2026?
Is Spartanburg, SC a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Spartanburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Spartanburg?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Spartanburg?
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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 $88,070 for physical therapist assistantsin the Spartanburg 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