Physician Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Physician Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $115,840 a year ($55.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $91,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,600 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $122,490. There are 1.0 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| 25th percentile | $107,400 | $51.64 |
| Median | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| 75th percentile | $131,440 | $63.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,600 | $74.81 |
| Average (mean) | $117,840 | $56.65 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,653.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,826.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,455.38 |
| Weekly | $2,227.69 |
| Hourly | $55.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $133,140 | 1,680 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $128,920 | 620 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $125,700 | 140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $125,350 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $123,310 | 440 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $121,990 | 80 |
| Florence, SC | $120,290 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $117,240 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $115,840 a year, or $55.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $91,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $155,600 a year. The top 25% earn $131,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $91,980 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $107,400 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 400 physician assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.