Physician Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $119,620 -10.2% vs national
Median hourly $57.51
10th percentile $47,940
90th percentile $136,610
Employed locally 410
National median $133,260

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Physician Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,940
    25th
    $103,440
    50th (median)
    $119,620
    75th
    $135,510
    90th
    $136,610

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Physician Assistants salary vs area income 181% Median Physician Assistants salary is 81% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physician Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $215,600
    Napa, CA $183,930
    Vallejo, CA $180,540
    Modesto, CA $178,520
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $167,140
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $167,090

    Nearby metros — Physician Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $167,090
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $144,760
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $137,150
    Wisconsin $132,820
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $132,730
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $132,120

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$80,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$59,980
    Pharmacy Technicians$39,000
    Medical Records Specialists$65,960
    Physicians, All Other$374,300
    Pharmacists$134,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physician Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Physician Assistants in Columbia, SC is $57.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.81 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Physician Assistants salaries?

    The median Physician Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 10.2% below the national median of $133,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Physician Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $47,940 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,440.