Healthcare Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Medical Assistant Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median medical assistant salary in Columbia, SC is $34,443 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$34,443
vs State Avg
+$383
vs National
$-3,827
Cost of Living
90%

Medical Assistant Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $27,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $43,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$34,200
$-3,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$43,200
$-4,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $26,460
25th Percentile $29,880
Median (50th) $34,443
75th Percentile $40,320
90th Percentile $46,800

Medical Assistant Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$40,184
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$38,270
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$36,357
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$35,208
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Columbia

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Vital SignsPatient PrepMedical TerminologyEMR SystemsPhlebotomyScheduling

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Columbia

Browse open medical assistant positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Columbia

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $34,443 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $26,460 (10th percentile) to $46,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,443, a medical assistant in Columbia earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Columbia's median medical assistant salary of $34,443 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $34,060. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a medical assistant salary of $34,443 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Columbia? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Columbia require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Vital Signs, Patient Prep, Medical Terminology, EMR Systems. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.