Medical Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $38,230 -13.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.38
10th percentile $31,450
90th percentile $45,810
Employed locally 1,860
National median $44,200

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Medical Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,450
    25th
    $36,360
    50th (median)
    $38,230
    75th
    $43,010
    90th
    $45,810

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Medical Assistants salary vs area income 58% Median Medical Assistants salary is 42% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Medical Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Vallejo, CA $75,180
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,900
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,570
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,290
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,850

    Nearby metros — Medical Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,910
    Wisconsin $47,610
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $46,590
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $45,600
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $45,380
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $45,330

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $29,320
    Nursing Assistants $36,410
    Dental Assistants $45,610
    Phlebotomists $38,480
    Orderlies $36,370
    Physical Therapist Assistants $65,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Medical Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Medical Assistants in Columbia, SC is $18.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.86 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Medical Assistants salaries?

    The median Medical Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 13.5% below the national median of $44,200. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Medical Assistants in Columbia?

    Entry-level Medical Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $31,450 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,360.