Physician Assistant Salary in Columbia, SC: $119,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Columbia, SC earns a median $119,686/year (≈ $57.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $127,785 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the projected physician assistant salary for 2026 is set at $119,686, significantly lower than the national median of $140,391. The local salary spectrum ranges from $95,034 at the 10th percentile to $160,766 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied compensation based on specialty and practice settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrate a competitive yet nuanced job market influenced by the demand for both surgical and primary care roles. While surgical specialties tend to command higher salaries, the overall compensation for physician assistants in Columbia highlights the impact of local healthcare structures and the specialties in which PAs are employed.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,034 | $45.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,966 | $53.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,686 | $57.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,804 | $65.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,766 | $77.29 |
Median Salary Position
14.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,732 (2026 est.). At $119,686, the local median is 14.75% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $119,686/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $127,461 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -14.75% less |
Physician Assistants in Columbia, SC earn a median of $119,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.75% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.10% below the South Carolina state average of $127,461.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $119,686 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,785 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,850
2025 BLS Actual
$115,840
2026 Current Est.
$119,686
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,659 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 12.6% from $102,850 (2019) to $115,840 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,809 (20.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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 3.32% 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) | $95,034 – $110,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,966 – $119,686 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,686 – $135,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,804 – $160,766 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Columbia
With approximately 400 physician assistants working in the area, Columbia presents a growing job market, projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.32%. The cost of living index at 93.662 suggests that take-home pay can stretch further compared to national averages, potentially enhancing the purchasing power for local PAs. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital systems and specialty practices, particularly in surgical fields such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where first-assist case volume and RVU productivity bonuses significantly elevate earnings. To maximize compensation in this market, aspiring or current physician assistants should consider pursuing clinical specialties, engaging in locum tenens opportunities, or negotiating for additional responsibilities that contribute to higher productivity metrics, all of which contribute to the disparities in pay across the region.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
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 $115,840 for physician assistantsin the Columbia metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov