Surgical Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $48,750 -19.1% vs national
Median hourly $23.44
10th percentile $32,800
90th percentile $100,080
Employed locally 40
National median $60,290

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Surgical Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,800
    25th
    $37,670
    50th (median)
    $48,750
    75th
    $81,660
    90th
    $100,080

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Surgical Assistants salary vs area income 74% Median Surgical Assistants salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Surgical Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Florence, SC $133,380
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $116,140
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $115,610
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $110,020
    Nevada $110,020
    Arizona $107,500

    Nearby metros — Surgical Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Florence, SC $133,380
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $96,150
    Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC $76,210
    Wisconsin $71,630
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $62,000
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $50,880

    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 Surgical Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Surgical Assistants in Columbia, SC is $23.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.39 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Surgical Assistants salaries?

    The median Surgical Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 19.1% below the national median of $60,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Surgical Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $32,800 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,670.