South Carolina's average medical assistant salary of $42,340 falls below most of its regional neighbors, sitting 8.2% under the national mean of $46,120. North Carolina and Virginia both average above $44,000, so candidates with options in those markets may expect higher offers. When competing for experienced talent who could work across state lines, factor in that gap when structuring your compensation package.
Medical assistant salary in South Carolina (2026)
In this article
The average medical assistant salary in South Carolina is $42,340 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $41,160 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. South Carolina employs 12,110 medical assistants, and the $1,180 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior medical assistants in South Carolina typically earn around $34,730, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $49,110 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a medical assistant hire in South Carolina, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $41,160 |
Average Annual Salary | $42,340 |
vs. National Average | 8.2% below the national mean of $46,120 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 12,110 employed medical assistants across South Carolina.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next registered nurse hire.
Medical assistant salary percentiles in South Carolina
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $34,730 |
25th Percentile | $37,290 |
75th Percentile | $46,950 |
90th Percentile | $49,110 |
Setting an offer below $37,290 will put you outside the range most experienced candidates in South Carolina will accept, while offers approaching $46,950 to $49,110 are appropriate for senior or specialized hires. The middle 50% of medical assistants in South Carolina earn between $37,290 and $46,950, which gives you a practical band for budgeting most open roles.
Medical assistant salary by city in South Carolina
City | Average Annual Salary |
Charleston | $43,950 |
Spartanburg | $43,070 |
Greenville | $42,740 |
Columbia | $41,710 |
Myrtle Beach | $40,670 |
Where you hire in South Carolina will affect your compensation budget, so location should factor into your offer planning. Charleston posts the highest average at $43,950, while Myrtle Beach sits at the lower end at $40,670, a difference of $3,280 per year. If you are hiring across multiple locations, you may need to adjust offers by market rather than applying a single statewide figure.
How South Carolina compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
South Carolina | $42,340 | $41,160 |
North Carolina | $44,090 | $45,140 |
Virginia | $44,050 | $44,740 |
Florida | $43,290 | $43,680 |
Georgia | $42,590 | $41,600 |
Tennessee | $41,480 | $39,570 |
South Carolina is a cost-effective market for medical assistant hiring relative to most of its regional peers, which gives employers here a modest budget advantage. North Carolina and Virginia both post higher averages at $44,090 and $44,050 respectively, while Georgia at $42,590 and Tennessee at $41,480 sit close to South Carolina's level. If you are competing for candidates who could relocate to neighboring states, North Carolina and Virginia represent the most meaningful upward pressure on compensation expectations.
Frequently asked questions about medical assistant salary in South Carolina
How does South Carolina compare to other states for medical assistant salary?
What do the top-earning medical assistants make in South Carolina?
Medical assistants at the 90th percentile in South Carolina earn $49,110 per year. If you are recruiting for a senior or highly specialized role, plan to offer at or above this threshold to attract candidates at that level. The statewide average of $42,340 sits well below this figure, so top-tier compensation in this market requires a deliberate premium over the typical offer.
What is the salary range for a medical assistant in South Carolina?
The salary range for a medical assistant in South Carolina runs from $34,730 at the 10th percentile to $49,110 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $37,290 and $46,950, which covers the 25th through 75th percentile range. Use the seniority and specialization of your open role to determine where within that band your offer should land.
What is the average medical assistant salary in South Carolina?
The average medical assistant salary in South Carolina is $42,340 per year, with a median of $41,160. The $1,180 gap between those two figures reflects a modest spread in the candidate pool, with a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulling the average above the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, the median of $41,160 is the more practical anchor for your initial offer.
Medical Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 31-9092 (Medical Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
Author
The Rippling Team
Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.
Hubs
Explore more
Jul 14, 2026
|
4 min
Medical assistant salary in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina medical assistants earn a median $45,140 annually. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how NC compares to neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Alabama (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salary data for Alabama — median $36,100, city breakdowns, percentile ranges, and comparisons to neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Virginia (2026)
Find out what medical assistants earn in Virginia — from a $44,050 average to city-by-city breakdowns — so you can set competitive, informed offers.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Tennessee (2026)
Find out what medical assistants earn in Tennessee — median $39,570, average $41,480 — with salary ranges by city, percentile, and neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Georgia (2026)
Find out what medical assistants earn in Georgia — from a $41,600 median to city-by-city breakdowns — so you can budget and hire with confidence.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in West Virginia (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salary data for West Virginia: $37,180 median, city breakdowns, percentile ranges, and comparisons to neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
4 min
Medical assistant salary in Maryland (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salary data for Maryland, including a $46,390 average, city breakdowns, and percentile ranges to guide your hiring budget.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Kentucky (2026)
Kentucky medical assistants earn a median $39,270 annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to budget your next hire confidently.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.