Medical Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Medical Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $40,680 a year ($19.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,540 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $41,160. There are 5.6 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| 25th percentile | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Median | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| 75th percentile | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| Average (mean) | $41,710 | $20.05 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,390 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,695 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,564.62 |
| Weekly | $782.31 |
| Hourly | $19.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,520 | 6,060 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $45,600 | 2,320 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $44,860 | 2,550 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $43,610 | 560 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $40,930 | 620 |
| Sumter, SC | $40,780 | 170 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $38,950 | 910 |
| Florence, SC | $38,790 | 420 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $38,470 | 1,620 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $40,680 a year, or $19.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $47,540 a year. The top 25% earn $45,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,410 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $37,290 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 2,190 medical assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.