Nursing Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Nursing Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $37,400 a year ($17.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,920 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $37,220. There are 14 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,100, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| 25th percentile | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Median | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| 75th percentile | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Average (mean) | $37,100 | $17.84 |
Half of nursing 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 | $3,116.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,558.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,438.46 |
| Weekly | $719.23 |
| Hourly | $17.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,400 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.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $40,050 | 1,630 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $39,430 | 13,580 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $38,810 | 2,800 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $37,730 | 770 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $37,220 | 3,820 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $37,140 | 2,560 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $36,520 | 820 |
| Sumter, SC | $35,860 | 470 |
| Florence, SC | $35,400 | 1,320 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 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 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
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 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $37,400 a year, or $17.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $45,920 a year. The top 25% earn $39,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,450 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $34,020 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 5,420 nursing assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.