Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston, SC: $104,048 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Charleston, SC earns a median $104,048/year (≈ $50.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $103,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average physical therapist salary in Charleston, South Carolina, sits at $104,048, reflecting a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $105,288. Those in the field can expect a salary range from $76,845 at the 10th percentile to as much as $129,899 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the latest BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the value of different employment settings in determining compensation. Physical therapists in outpatient orthopedic clinics, for instance, might find their pay influenced by productivity expectations and performance bonuses, contrasting with their counterparts in hospital settings, who may benefit from higher base salaries and greater job security.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,845 | $36.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,277 | $41.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,048 | $50.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,938 | $58.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,899 | $62.45 |
Median Salary Position
1.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,054 (2026 est.). At $104,048, the local median is 1.18% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be above the median
How Charleston Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $104,048/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $103,737 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.18% less |
Physical Therapists in Charleston, SC earn a median of $104,048 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.18% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% above the South Carolina state average of $103,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,048 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,057 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,690
2025 BLS Actual
$101,550
2026 Current Est.
$104,048
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,048 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,608 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.9% from $84,690 (2019) to $101,550 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,918 (25.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,845 – $85,277 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,277 – $104,048 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,048 – $121,938 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,938 – $129,899 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Charleston
Currently, Charleston employs approximately 690 physical therapists, indicating a solid demand for professionals in the area. With a cost of living index of 100.962, those working in Charleston experience a take-home purchasing power that aligns closely with the national average. Among various employers, outpatient orthopedic practices tend to offer competitive pay structures that include incentives linked to productivity, while skilled nursing facilities and hospital systems often ensure stability but with more rigid compensation frameworks. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries include board certifications like OCS or SCS, clinic ownership equity, and the nature of practice models—whether insurance-based or cash-pay systems. For physical therapists looking to maximize pay in this specific Charleston market, obtaining board specialties, negotiating contracts effectively, and considering travel opportunities can lead to enhanced earning potential.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Charleston, SC in 2026?
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Charleston?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Charleston?
Related Pages
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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
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 $101,550 for physical therapistsin the Charleston metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, 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