Medical Assistant Salary in Charleston, SC: $47,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Charleston, SC earns a median $47,866/year (≈ $23.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $47,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $47,866, which is slightly below the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with the lowest earners making $37,758 and the top 10% earning up to $51,845. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys highlights how medical assistant pay varies based on the type of practice. Generally, specialists, particularly in dermatology and orthopedics, tend to offer compensation that is 20-40% higher than primary care positions, reflecting the demand for skilled support in these high-volume specialties. As more healthcare facilities emerge in the area, the competition for qualified medical assistants is likely to drive future salaries upward.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,758 | $18.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,592 | $19.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,866 | $23.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,638 | $24.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,845 | $24.93 |
Median Salary Position
0.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,087 (2026 est.). At $47,866, the local median is 0.2% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be above the median
How Charleston Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $47,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $42,891 | +11.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -0.20% less |
Medical Assistants in Charleston, SC earn a median of $47,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.20% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 11.60% above the South Carolina state average of $42,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,866 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,410 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,860
2025 BLS Actual
$45,600
2026 Current Est.
$47,866
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,245 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.8% from $34,860 (2019) to $45,600 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,385 (44.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,758 – $40,592 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,592 – $47,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,866 – $50,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,638 – $51,845 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Charleston
Charleston's job market is robust, with approximately 2,320 medical assistants currently employed in the region. The local cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 100.962, slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that top the pay scale typically include specialty practices such as cardiology and OB-GYN, while urgent care chains also compete for talent. Several factors contribute to the pay spread within this field, such as the premium on bilingual capabilities, additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG, and differentials for urgent care shifts. To maximize earnings, pursuing specialized certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT, and considering shifts in higher-paying environments could be advantageous for those focusing on a medical assistant career in Charleston, SC.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,600 for medical assistantsin the Charleston metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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