Physical Therapist Pay

Charleston vs Greer: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Charleston, SC and Greer, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$104,048
$50.02/hr
Greer, SC
$106,002
$50.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCGreer, SC
Median Salary$104,048$106,002
Hourly Rate$50.02$50.96
Entry Level (P10)$76,845$81,832
25th Percentile$85,277$89,618
75th Percentile$121,938$124,272
Top Earner (P90)$129,899$136,398
Total Employed6908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($104,048) and Greer ($106,002) physical therapist salaries.CharlestonGreerMedian Salary$104,048$106,002Entry Level (P10)$76,845$81,832Top Earner (P90)$129,899$136,398US Median $105,288

Verdict

Greer, SC offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Charleston.

The salary gap between Charleston and Greer is $1,954 (1.88%). Greer's median is +0.68% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $53,054,Greer spans $54,566. Greer has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$76,845
P25$85,277
Median$104,048
P75$121,938
P90 (Top)$129,899
Greer
P10 (Entry)$81,832
P25$89,618
Median$106,002
P75$124,272
P90 (Top)$136,398

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greer ($115,849 effective) pays 12.41% more than Charleston ($103,057 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $104,048
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $103,057
Greer
Nominal: $106,002
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $115,849

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greer if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,002/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,398)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,849)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Charleston grew 19.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Greer over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+19.9%

$84,690 (2019) → $101,550 (2025)

Greer, SC

+23.7%

$83,624 (2024) → $103,457 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Charleston or Greer?

Greer has a higher median physical therapist salary at $106,002/year, compared to Charleston at $104,048/year — a difference of $1,954 (1.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Greer?

Charleston physical therapists earn $50.02/hr while Greer hygienists earn $50.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Greer as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Greer. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $103,057, Greer = $115,849), job availability (690 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Charleston vs Greer?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,845 in Charleston and $81,832 in Greer. The Greer area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov