Physical Therapist Salary in Clemson, SC: $95,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Clemson, SC earns a median $95,563/year (≈ $45.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Clemson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $104,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Clemson, South Carolina, is projected to reach a median annual amount of $95,563, positioning local pay notably below the national average of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists reveals a spectrum from $77,026 at the 10th percentile to $120,155 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differences based on employment settings. Those working in outpatient clinics may experience lower base salaries compared to their peers in hospital systems, which typically offer enhanced benefits and stability. The role of employer choice in this market is crucial, influencing not only compensation but also job responsibilities and expectations, particularly in regard to patient volume and productivity measures. Understanding these dynamics is vital for practitioners assessing their opportunities in Clemson's healthcare landscape.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,026 | $37.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,724 | $39.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,563 | $45.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,901 | $53.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,155 | $57.77 |
Median Salary Position
9.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clemson
In Clemson, SC, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,129 (2026 est.). At $95,563, the local median is 9.24% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clemson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clemson Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Clemson median: $95,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clemson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $103,760 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -9.24% less |
Physical Therapists in Clemson, SC earn a median of $95,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.24% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $103,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clemson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clemson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $95,563 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,440 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,179
2025 BLS Actual
$93,269
2026 Current Est.
$95,563
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,179 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,788 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,518 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clemson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $81,179 (2019) to $93,269 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,735 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clemson 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) | $77,026 – $82,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,724 – $95,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,563 – $110,901 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,901 – $120,155 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Clemson
Looking at the local job market, only six physical therapists are currently employed in Clemson, suggesting a competitive atmosphere where job openings may be limited. The cost of living index for the area is 91.5, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can positively impact the take-home pay of physical therapists. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine facilities tend to provide the most competitive salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower pay brackets. Factors driving the disparity in compensation include expectations surrounding patient loads, board certification stipends, clinic management roles, and whether a practice follows a cash-pay or insurance model. Professionals looking to increase their physical therapist pay in Clemson, SC, should consider specializing—pursuing board certifications like OCS or SCS—and may benefit from negotiating productivity bonuses tied to performance and efficiency metrics.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Clemson, SC in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Clemson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Clemson?
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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 $93,269 for physical therapistsin the Clemson 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
Salary data for Clemson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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