Physical Therapist Salary in Sumter, SC: $102,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Sumter, SC earns a median $102,993/year (≈ $49.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Sumter's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $117,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected annual salary for physical therapists in Sumter, South Carolina, is projected to be $102,993, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $105,288. The salary range in this area varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $61,650 and the highest 90% achieving salaries around $118,044. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, the local physical therapist pay in Sumter SC highlights the balance of productivity demands and reimbursement rates that shape compensation levels. Given the area's healthcare dynamics, physical therapists must manage a high volume of patient visits per day, which directly influences their effective hourly earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,142 | $39.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,993 | $49.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,058 | $54.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,044 | $56.75 |
Median Salary Position
2.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sumter
In Sumter, SC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,394 (2026 est.). At $102,993, the local median is 2.18% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Sumter: You'd be above the median
How Sumter Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Sumter median: $102,993/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sumter Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $103,823 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.18% less |
Physical Therapists in Sumter, SC earn a median of $102,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $103,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sumter has a cost of living 11.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sumter, SC has a cost-of-living index of 88.02 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,993 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,011 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,570
2025 BLS Actual
$100,520
2026 Current Est.
$102,993
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,536 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sumter metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 24.8% from $80,570 (2019) to $100,520 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,956 (30.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sumter 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) | $61,650 – $82,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,142 – $102,993 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,993 – $114,058 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,058 – $118,044 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Sumter
With about 50 physical therapists currently employed in Sumter, the job market shows a stable presence for this profession. The local cost of living index stands at 88.02, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living compared to national figures, which can enhance the take-home purchasing power for practitioners. In this market, employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems often offer competitive salaries, with private practices like ATI and Athletico playing a prominent role. The wide salary spread in Sumter can largely be attributed to differing productivity expectations, board certifications that may warrant additional stipends, and the emerging trend of cash-pay models versus traditional insurance practices. For those looking to maximize earnings, pursuing board specialization (OCS/SCS) and seeking positions in higher-paying settings or roles that emphasize patient volume can be strategic moves in this evolving market.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Sumter, SC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Sumter?
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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 $100,520 for physical therapistsin the Sumter 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, 6-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