Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia, SC: $102,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Columbia, SC earns a median $102,296/year (≈ $49.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $109,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Columbia, South Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $102,296. Comparing this to the national median of $105,288 reveals a slight gap that may impact job competitiveness in the area. Salary ranges indicate variability in pay, spanning from $66,476 at the 10th percentile to $121,169 for those at the 90th percentile. Derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, these figures reflect the job market's structure in Columbia, where compensation may vary significantly between settings. While outpatient chains typically offer lower base salaries, factors like productivity bonuses could adjust total compensation, influencing decisions for prospective physical therapists considering their career paths in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,476 | $31.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,247 | $38.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,296 | $49.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,476 | $53.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,169 | $58.26 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,693 (2026 est.). At $102,296, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $102,296/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $103,749 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.84% less |
Physical Therapists in Columbia, SC earn a median of $102,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.40% below the South Carolina state average of $103,749.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,296 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,218 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,910
2025 BLS Actual
$99,840
2026 Current Est.
$102,296
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 12.3% from $88,910 (2019) to $99,840 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,903 (17.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $66,476 – $80,247 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,247 – $102,296 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,296 – $111,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,476 – $121,169 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Columbia
The local job market in Columbia employs around 670 physical therapists, a number that contributes to the competitive pay environment within the region. The cost of living index sits at 93.662, which suggests that your earnings may stretch further than in high-cost areas. Among the various employment settings in Columbia, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide competitive pay, although the highest salaries may be found within hospital systems or specialized clinics, thanks to their ability to offer higher reimbursements. The variation in physical therapist pay in Columbia, SC, is driven by several factors, including productivity expectations, specific board certifications such as OCS or SCS, and the choice of practice model—whether cash-pay or insurance-based. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist salary in Columbia, obtaining additional certifications, seeking positions with higher productivity standards, or engaging with travel PT agencies can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Columbia, SC in 2026?
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Columbia?
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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 $99,840 for physical therapistsin the Columbia 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