Medical Assistant Salary in South Carolina: $45,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $45,001/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,181 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($46,572), Greer ($45,942), Anderson ($45,895).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is projected to be $45,001, which is approximately 6.2% lower than the national median of $47,961. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with North Charleston offering the highest pay at $48,887, while Clemson provides the lowest at $39,492, indicating a gap of $9,395. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of large medical facilities in urban areas. The state has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job responsibilities and salaries. Medical assistants in South Carolina generally have a bright job outlook, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.97%, suggesting continued demand for these professionals. The total employment figure stands at 9,881, with cities like Greer ($48,225), Anderson ($48,176), Charleston ($47,866), and Greenville ($47,090) also offering competitive salaries. As the healthcare landscape evolves, medical assistants in South Carolina can expect opportunities for career advancement and stable employment prospects.
South Carolina Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $32,383 (lowest entry-level) to $63,201 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina medical assistants earn 6.17% less than the national median ($-2,960/year difference).
South Carolina Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in South Carolina range from $36,956 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $51,381 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,001. The South Carolina median is $2,960 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $21.64/hr. Approximately 9,881 medical assistants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,961
2025 BLS Actual
$42,870
2026 Current Est.
$45,001
2019–2027 Growth
+47.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,961 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,032 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,705 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,882 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,237 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 34.1% from $31,961 (2019) to $42,870 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,237 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,276 (47.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $48,887 | 91.5 | $53,428 |
| Greer | $48,225 | 91.5 | $52,705 |
| Anderson | $48,176 | 91.5 | $52,651 |
| Greenville | $47,090 | 93.26 | $50,493 |
| Bluffton | $44,907 | 91.5 | $49,079 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,956 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $45,001 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $51,381 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $48,887 |
| 2 | Greer | $48,225 |
| 3 | Anderson | $48,176 |
| 4 | Charleston | $47,866 |
| 5 | Greenville | $47,090 |
| 6 | Hilton Head Island | $45,777 |
| 7 | Bluffton | $44,907 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant | $43,514 |
| 9 | Spartanburg | $42,964 |
| 10 | Sumter | $42,807 |
| 11 | Rock Hill | $42,713 |
| 12 | Columbia | $42,702 |
| 13 | Aiken | $42,525 |
| 14 | Hanahan | $42,466 |
| 15 | Mauldin | $42,216 |
| 16 | Summerville | $41,990 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $41,297 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $41,278 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $41,181 |
| 20 | Myrtle Beach | $40,886 |
| 21 | Florence | $40,718 |
| 22 | Lexington | $40,508 |
| 23 | Conway | $40,132 |
| 24 | Easley | $39,785 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $39,565 |
| 26 | Clemson | $39,492 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in South Carolina?
How many medical assistants are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for medical assistants?
Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov