Physical Therapist Assistant in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
South Carolina employs 1,870 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $70,500 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)
- South Carolina median pay
- $70,500 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $47,510
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,890
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $88,070
- Employed in South Carolina
- 1,870
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major South Carolina markets:
- Spartanburg
- $88,070 (160 employed)
- Greenville
- $74,140 (380 employed)
- Charlotte
- $70,720 (870 employed)
- Columbia
- $62,920 (300 employed)
- Augusta
- $62,510 (150 employed)
- Charleston
- $62,270 (280 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina
Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $70,500 median stretches to roughly $75,240 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)
South Carolina is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +27.8%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 430 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
South Carolina License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (LLR).
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
Official requirements: South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (LLR) →
Training in South Carolina
A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:
- Greenville Technical College — Associate
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College — Associate
- Midlands Technical College — Associate
- Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in South Carolina
Real South Carolina outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- Anderson Oconee Speech and Hearing Services — Anderson
- Brookdale Therapy Anderson — Anderson
- Cora Physical Therapy West Columbia — Batesburg-Leesville
- Select Physical Therapy — Beaufort
- Georgialina Physical Therapy — Beech Island
- Cora Physical Therapy - Bluffton — Bluffton
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.
Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.
Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
First Steps
Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in South Carolina?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in South Carolina is $70,500 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,510, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $88,070. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in South Carolina?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (LLR). Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in South Carolina?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which South Carolina metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among South Carolina metro areas, Spartanburg leads at $88,070, followed by Greenville ($74,140), Charlotte ($70,720). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in South Carolina?
Real South Carolina options include Greenville Technical College, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Midlands Technical College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in South Carolina?
South Carolina projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +27.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 430 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (LLR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Carolina wages · South Carolina licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.