Surgical Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Surgical Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $48,160 a year ($23.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,450 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 44% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $85,580. There are 0.17 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 25th percentile | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Median | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| 75th percentile | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Average (mean) | $51,830 | $24.92 |
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 | $4,013.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,006.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,852.31 |
| Weekly | $926.15 |
| Hourly | $23.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,160 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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $58,710 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,890 | 150 |
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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $58,170 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $48,160 a year, or $23.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $69,450 a year. The top 25% earn $69,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,510 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $40,560 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 70 surgical assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.