Healthcare Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median physical therapist salary in Columbia, SC is $87,948 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$87,948
vs State Avg
+$977
vs National
$-9,772
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median physical therapist salary of $87,948, which is $977 above the South Carolina state average of $86,971. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% 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 Columbia spans from $60,120 at the 10th percentile to $117,180 at the 90th percentile — a $57,060 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,200, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $115,200. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $61,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $115,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,200
$-6,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$88,200
$-9,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$115,200
$-12,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $60,120
25th Percentile $72,180
Median (50th) $87,948
75th Percentile $104,760
90th Percentile $117,180

Physical Therapist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$102,606
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$97,720
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$92,834
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$89,902
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Columbia

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Columbia 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 Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open physical therapist positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $87,948 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $60,120 (10th percentile) to $117,180 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $87,948, a physical therapist in Columbia earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Columbia's median physical therapist salary of $87,948 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $86,971. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $87,948 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Columbia? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Columbia 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.