Medical Assistant Salary in Columbia, SC — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Columbia's cost of living (index: 89). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Medical Assistant Salary in Columbia — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Columbia
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Columbia
Columbia has a metro population of 840,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.7% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Columbia
Other Professions in Columbia
Medical Assistant Salary — Other South Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The estimated median salary for a Medical Assistant in Columbia is $37,380 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $42,000 adjusted by Columbia's cost of living index (89). The typical salary range runs from $32,004 (25th percentile) to $44,117 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $51,478.
Is Columbia affordable for a Medical Assistant?
On a $37,380 annual salary, a Medical Assistant in Columbia would spend approximately 33.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,050/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $230,000 is 6.2× the annual salary.
How does a Medical Assistant's salary compare to Columbia's overall income?
Columbia's median household income is $55,200. A Medical Assistant earning the city-adjusted median of $37,380 earns 32.3% less than the typical Columbia household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Columbia has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.