Healthcare Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Physician Assistant Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median physician assistant salary in Columbia, SC is $113,409 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$113,409
vs State Avg
+$1,260
vs National
$-12,601
Cost of Living
90%

Physician Assistant Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median physician assistant salary of $113,409, which is $1,260 above the South Carolina state average of $112,149. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physician assistants in Columbia spans from $75,600 at the 10th percentile to $156,600 at the 90th percentile — a $81,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,200, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physician Assistant Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $79,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,200
$-8,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,400
$-12,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $75,600
25th Percentile $95,400
Median (50th) $113,409
75th Percentile $135,900
90th Percentile $156,600

Physician Assistant Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$132,311
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$126,010
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$119,710
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$115,929
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Columbia

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Columbia

Browse open physician assistant positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Columbia

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $113,409 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $75,600 (10th percentile) to $156,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $113,409, a physician assistant in Columbia earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Columbia's median physician assistant salary of $113,409 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $112,149. 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 physician assistant salary of $113,409 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Columbia? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Columbia require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.