Physician Assistant salary in South Carolina
Physician Assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $122,490 a year ($58.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,860 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $135,880. South Carolina ranks 45th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 0.98 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $120,720, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| 25th percentile | $105,560 | $50.75 |
| Median | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| 75th percentile | $134,100 | $64.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,860 | $76.37 |
| Average (mean) | $120,720 | $58.04 |
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 | $10,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,103.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,711.15 |
| Weekly | $2,355.58 |
| Hourly | $58.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $122,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| Columbia, SC | $115,840 | 400 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,480 | $127.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for physician assistants in South Carolina is $122,490 a year, or $58.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of physician assistants in South Carolina earn at least $158,860 a year. The top 25% earn $134,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,620 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $105,560 or less.
How many physician assistants work in South Carolina?
About 2,250 physician assistants are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.