Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $38,970 -12.7% vs national
Median hourly $18.73
10th percentile $30,180
90th percentile $49,160
Employed locally 1,530
National median $44,640

Compare Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary & buying power

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Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,180
    25th
    $36,560
    50th (median)
    $38,970
    75th
    $45,480
    90th
    $49,160

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary vs area income 59% Median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary is 41% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $67,380
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,090
    Napa, CA $60,940
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $60,470
    Vallejo, CA $60,260
    Bellingham, WA $57,360

    Nearby metros — Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,090
    Wisconsin $46,880
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $45,630
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $45,470
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $45,440
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $45,270

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives $37,670
    Office Clerks, General $37,610
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $42,490
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $64,380
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $45,130
    Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks $38,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Columbia, SC is $18.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.69 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salaries?

    The median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 12.7% below the national median of $44,640. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $30,180 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,560.