Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $49.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Greenville, SC runs $49.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,505 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,106 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, physical therapists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $49.76, which positions them slightly below the national median of $50.62. This hourly wage offers substantial earning potential for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, especially in varied environments such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings. For physical therapists working three days a week, this translates to significant earnings, considering the range of pay from entry-level positions at approximately $38.62 per hour to experienced professionals nearing $59.91 hourly. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS information projected to 2026, reflects how hourly pay can vary greatly depending on experience and setting.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.62 | $308.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.17 | $329.35 |
| Median (P50) | $49.76 | $398.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.02 | $424.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.91 | $479.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $49.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.76/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $103,511 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,718. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,990.59 | $8,626 | $103,511 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,194.36 | $5,176 | $62,106 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $796.24 | $3,450 | $41,404 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Greenville) | $49.76 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Greenville, SC earn a median of $103,505 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% below the South Carolina state average of $103,817.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.76/hr = $62,106/year (purchasing power: $66,595).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,511/year (purchasing power: $110,992).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Greenville grew 12.6% from $43.13/hr (2019) to $48.57/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Greenville
Analyzing the earning potential further, part-time therapists committing to a 24-hour workweek can earn around $49,000 annually, providing flexibility without a full-time commitment. In contrast, per-diem physical therapists in Greenville often command a billing rate between $50 and $75 per hour. For those taking up travel contracts, weekly earnings can rise to between $1,800 and $2,800, which also includes stipends for accommodations and travel expenses. Employer types heavily influence pay in the area, with outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offering lower hourly rates compared to higher-paid positions in hospital settings or specialized practices. Some therapists may choose lower hourly wages to receive health benefits, while others prioritize immediate pay. Negotiating contracts effectively remains crucial in a competitive market, where understanding the nuances of hourly pay rates across different settings can lead to better opportunities in Greenville, SC.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Greenville in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Greenville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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