Healthcare Charleston, SC Pop. 150,227

Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

The median physical therapist salary in Charleston, SC is $97,720 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 12.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$97,720
vs State Avg
+$10,749
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

Physical Therapist Pay in Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

Charleston offers a median physical therapist salary of $97,720, which is $10,749 above the South Carolina state average of $86,971. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Charleston pays above average for this role.

Charleston's cost of living is 100% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Charleston spans from $66,800 at the 10th percentile to $130,200 at the 90th percentile — a $63,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,000, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,000. With a population of 150,227, Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $68,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$98,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, SC

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $66,800
25th Percentile $80,200
Median (50th) $97,720
75th Percentile $116,400
90th Percentile $130,200

Physical Therapist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$102,606
Pop. 94,171
North Charleston, SC
$92,834
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$89,902
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$87,948
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Charleston

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Charleston

Browse open physical therapist positions in Charleston, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Charleston, SC? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $97,720 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $66,800 (10th percentile) to $130,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,720, a physical therapist in Charleston earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Charleston's median physical therapist salary of $97,720 is 12.4% above the South Carolina state average of $86,971. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $97,720 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Charleston? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Charleston require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.