Physical Therapist Salary in Greenville, SC: $103,505 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Greenville, SC earns a median $103,505/year (≈ $49.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $110,985 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Greenville, South Carolina, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $103,505. This amount positions local professionals slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a 1.69% variance. The salary range in Greenville is quite broad, spanning from $80,318 at the lower end to as high as $124,612 for the top earners. This data, sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a dynamic job market where cash-pay models and specialized orthopedic practices are influencing higher-end salaries, especially for therapists who excel within the sports and outpatient settings, driving demand and competition in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,318 | $38.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,616 | $41.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,505 | $49.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,288 | $53.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,612 | $59.91 |
Median Salary Position
1.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,294 (2026 est.). At $103,505, the local median is 1.69% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be above the median
How Greenville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Greenville median: $103,505/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $103,817 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.69% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 6.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,505 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,985 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.23% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,700
2025 BLS Actual
$101,020
2026 Current Est.
$103,505
2019–2027 Growth
+18.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,505 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 12.6% from $89,700 (2019) to $101,020 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,351 (18.23%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,318 – $85,616 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,616 – $103,505 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,505 – $110,288 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,288 – $124,612 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Greenville
With approximately 940 physical therapists employed in the Greenville area, local employment opportunities are robust, particularly in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings. The cost of living index for Greenville stands at 93.26, which is below the national average, thereby enhancing take-home pay and purchasing power for residents. Employers like private practice chains such as ATI and Athletico often provide competitive salaries but may be constrained by productivity expectations, leading to varied compensation packages depending on the clinical environment. Factors such as board certifications (OCS, SCS) and clinic ownership equity can significantly boost earnings and influence the disparity between lower and higher salaries in Greenville SC. For those looking to maximize physical therapist pay in Greenville, pursuing specialized certifications, optimizing their productivity, and considering opportunities in cash-based practices may provide favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $101,020 for physical therapistsin the Greenville 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