Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $65,440 -0.1% vs national
Median hourly $31.46
10th percentile $51,840
90th percentile $82,530
Employed locally 300
National median $65,510

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Physical Therapist Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,840
    25th
    $58,240
    50th (median)
    $65,440
    75th
    $74,460
    90th
    $82,530

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Physical Therapist Assistants salary vs area income 99% Median Physical Therapist Assistants salary is 1% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physical Therapist Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,350
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,230
    Modesto, CA $96,120
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $90,000
    Spartanburg, SC $85,470
    Salinas, CA $84,210

    Nearby metros — Physical Therapist Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,230
    Spartanburg, SC $85,470
    Florence, SC $71,820
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $70,430
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $69,980
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $67,220

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $29,320
    Nursing Assistants $36,410
    Medical Assistants $38,230
    Dental Assistants $45,610
    Phlebotomists $38,480
    Orderlies $36,370

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbia, SC is $31.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.19 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Physical Therapist Assistants salaries?

    The median Physical Therapist Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 0.1% below the national median of $65,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbia?

    Entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $51,840 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,240.