Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Florence, SC: $61,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Florence, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,466 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Florence's local price level (BEA RPP 86.8 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,835 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,821) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, SC, the entry-level physical therapist salary is projected to start at around $61,466 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the area’s median salary of $110,821, it offers a promising trajectory for new graduates. With experience, entry-level therapists can anticipate moving up from this base toward $77,870 within their first few years, reflecting a typical career growth pattern in the industry. The gap between starting pay and the median salary highlights opportunities for advancement in the rapidly evolving healthcare market of Florence, making the city a worthwhile consideration for new grads aiming to establish their careers in physical therapy.
Career Earnings Timeline in Florence
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
Entry-level physical therapists in Florence, SC typically start between $61,466 and $77,870 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $68,361 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,821 — 5.26% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in South Carolina of $100,000 represents just 162.69% of the starting physical therapist pay ($61,466/year) in Florence. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Florence
- 1Research the Florence market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $61,466 to $77,870, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in SC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Florence, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Florence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Florence's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Florence is $68,361 ( 111.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,466, experienced hygienists can earn up to $129,827.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,320
2025 BLS Actual
$59,990
2026 Current Est.
$61,466
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,978 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Florence, SC grew -12.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,320 in 2019 to $59,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,978. New graduates entering the Florence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Florence
Several employers in the Florence area actively hire new graduates, with outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Select Medical providing structured environments conducive to growth. These organizations often offer productivity ramps that can enhance income potential, though salaries may initially be lower than those found in hospital systems, which typically have residency programs leading to board certification. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities, such as Genesis and RehabCare, are known to offer higher initial salaries to attract talent. For those looking to maximize starting pay in South Carolina, obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing the NPTE national exam is essential. Early career strategies for physical therapists should focus on seeking employment at facilities with substantial support and mentorship, leveraging any opportunities for board specialization, such as OCS or SCS, through APTA membership and residency options. Given the growth trends in this market, new graduates can realistically expect their salaries to improve significantly within the first three years of practice, aligning with the ongoing demand in the field.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Florence in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Florence?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Florence?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Florence?
How do I become a physical therapist in South Carolina?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Florence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov