$40,680 a year$20 an hour · median pay in the Columbia, SC area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$35,410per year
Top pay (top 10%)$47,540per year
Jobs in the area2,190people work this job
Can a medical assistant afford Columbia?
Expensive. Rent of $1,394 a month takes 41.1% of the median medical assistant salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Medical Assistant pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Columbia
Registered NurseNurse PractitionerLicensed Practical NurseNursing AssistantPharmacistPhysician AssistantDental HygienistElementary School TeacherSoftware DeveloperComputer Systems AnalystAccountantMarket Research AnalystOperations ManagerLawyer
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The median pay for a medical assistant in the Columbia, SC area is $40,680 a year ($20 an hour). Most earn between $35,410 and $47,540.
Can a medical assistant afford to live in Columbia?
Typical rent of $1,394 a month takes 41.1% of the median medical assistant salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Columbia, SC metro area.