Surgical Assistant salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Surgical Assistants in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $58,710 a year ($28.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,740 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 31% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $85,580. There are 0.15 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 25th percentile | $41,320 | $19.86 |
| Median | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| 75th percentile | $74,390 | $35.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,740 | $47.95 |
| Average (mean) | $64,410 | $30.97 |
Half of surgical 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 | $4,892.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,446.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,258.08 |
| Weekly | $1,129.04 |
| Hourly | $28.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,710 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.
Surgical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $133,380 | 200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $80,800 | 30 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $78,980 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,890 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,160 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 |
| Arizona | $111,170 |
| Colorado | $107,440 |
| Nevada | $100,820 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 |
| South Carolina | $85,580 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 |
| Oregon | $80,450 |
| Illinois | $80,210 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Athletic Trainer | $62,690 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | $44.62 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $72,730 | $34.97 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9093. 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 surgical assistant make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $58,710 a year, or $28.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $99,740 a year. The top 25% earn $74,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,880 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $41,320 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 60 surgical assistants are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.