Surgical Assistant salary in South Carolina
Surgical Assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $85,580 a year ($41.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,380 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $66,800. South Carolina ranks 6th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.21 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 25th percentile | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Median | $85,580 | $41.15 |
| 75th percentile | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,380 | $64.13 |
| Average (mean) | $85,590 | $41.15 |
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 | $7,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,291.54 |
| Weekly | $1,645.77 |
| Hourly | $41.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,580 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 cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $59,240 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $67,940 | $32.67 |
| Genetic Counselor | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $42,120 | $20.25 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,600 | $33.46 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for surgical assistants in South Carolina is $85,580 a year, or $41.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in South Carolina earn at least $133,380 a year. The top 25% earn $108,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,510 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $50,630 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in South Carolina?
About 480 surgical assistants are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.