Physical Therapist Salary in Summerville, SC: $101,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Summerville, SC earns a median $101,609/year (≈ $48.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $111,048 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist salary in Summerville, South Carolina, is projected to be a median of $101,609. This figure is slightly below the national median of $105,288, illustrating a trend where local salaries may lag behind national averages. The salary range for physical therapists in the region is notably broad, starting at $78,922 and reaching up to $137,812 for the top earners. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and account for variations in the local cost of living. As demand for specialized cash-pay sports and orthopedic clinics continues to rise, top-end salaries in Summerville may see upward pressure, driven by both productivity and specialization factors.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,922 | $37.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,419 | $41.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,609 | $48.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,762 | $59.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,812 | $66.25 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,890 (2026 est.). At $101,609, the local median is 3.49% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Summerville median: $101,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $103,788 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.49% less |
Physical Therapists in Summerville, SC earn a median of $101,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $103,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,048 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,314
2025 BLS Actual
$99,169
2026 Current Est.
$101,609
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,305 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,226 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,169 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,108 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,314 (2019) to $99,169 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,794 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $78,922 – $86,419 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,419 – $101,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,609 – $122,762 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,762 – $137,812 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Summerville
The physical therapist pay in Summerville SC reflects the local job market dynamics, with only 12 physical therapists currently employed in the area. Given the cost of living index of 91.5, residents can enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to many national averages. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, both private and chains like Athletico, typically offer competitive salaries, but may also tie pay to productivity bonuses, thereby creating a disparity in wages. With some clinics emphasizing cash-pay models, those professionals may earn significantly more compared to their peers in traditional insurance-based settings. To maximize earnings, physical therapists should consider obtaining board certifications like OCS or SCS, as these qualifications often come with stipends or incentives. Gaining experience in high-demand settings like sports medicine or travel PT could yield considerable financial advantages in Summerville's evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Summerville, 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 $99,169 for physical therapistsin the Summerville 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
Salary data for Summerville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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