Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Columbia, SC: $43,200 (2026)

Speech Therapy Assistant Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median speech therapy assistant salary of $43,200, which is $480 above the South Carolina state average of $42,720. Compared to the national median of $48,000, 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 speech therapy assistants in Columbia spans from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $66,600 at the 90th percentile — a $37,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,600, while senior speech therapy assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,000. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level speech therapy assistant earns around $30,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$30,600

$-3,400 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$44,100

$-4,900 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$63,000

$-7,000 vs national

Percentile	Columbia	SC State	National
10th Percentile	$28,800	$28,480	$32,000
25th Percentile	$34,200	$33,820	$38,000
Median (50th)	$43,200	$42,720	$48,000
75th Percentile	$55,800	$55,180	$62,000
90th Percentile	$66,600	$65,860	$74,000

Percentile

Columbia

10th Percentile

$28,800

25th Percentile

$34,200

Median (50th)

$43,200

75th Percentile

$55,800

90th Percentile

$66,600

How to Become a Speech Therapy Assistant in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

Speech TherapyPatient CareDocumentationCommunicationPatienceTherapy Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, speech therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Columbia

How much does a Speech Therapy Assistant make in Columbia, SC? ▼

The median speech therapy assistant salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $43,200 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $48,000. Salaries range from $28,800 (10th percentile) to $66,600 (90th percentile).

How much does a Speech Therapy Assistant make per hour in Columbia? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $43,200, a speech therapy assistant in Columbia earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for speech therapy assistant pay? ▼

Columbia's median speech therapy assistant salary of $43,200 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $42,720. 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 speech therapy assistant salary of $43,200 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a speech therapy assistant in Columbia? ▼

Most speech therapy assistant positions in Columbia require a associate's degree. Key skills include Speech Therapy, Patient Care, Documentation, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.

Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Columbia, South Carolina