Medical assistant jobs in South Carolina

Roughly 12,110 people hold medical assistant jobs in South Carolina. Federal labor figures put that share at 5.3 for every 1,000 jobs statewide. South Carolina places 25 of 51 in the count of these positions, which covers the 50 states plus Washington, DC.

Two things create openings: brand new jobs and workers who leave. Together, those two sources add up to about 1,700 openings a year, according to the state's labor agency, which places South Carolina at 27 of 51.

Yes. According to the state's labor agency, medical assistant jobs should grow from 11,580 positions in 2024 to 13,620 by 2034. That equals 17.7% growth, which outpaces the 12.5% expected nationwide. For projected growth, South Carolina ranks 18 of 51.

Medical assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $41,160 a year, or $19.79 an hour. A median is simply the middle point: some medical assistants earn above it and others earn below it. Nationwide, the median is $45,690, and for pay South Carolina ranks 37 of 51, based on federal wage data.

Among medical assistants in the state, the middle half earns from $37,290 to $46,950. The lowest-paid tenth make $34,730 or less, while the top-paid tenth brings in $49,110 or more.

Median pay differs from one metro area to another. Below are the metro areas with the largest numbers of medical assistant jobs that cover part of South Carolina, using figures from the federal wage data.

• Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: 6,060 medical assistant jobs, with a median yearly pay of $46,520.
• Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC: 2,550 medical assistant jobs, with a median yearly pay of $44,860.
• Charleston-North Charleston, SC: 2,320 medical assistant jobs, with a median yearly pay of $45,600.
• Columbia, SC: 2,190 medical assistant jobs, with a median yearly pay of $40,680.
• Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC: 1,620 medical assistant jobs, with a median yearly pay of $38,470.

The Charlotte region stretches into the northern part of the state, and it has both the most jobs and the highest median pay. Charleston and Greenville also pay above the state median.

You can work as a medical assistant without being a CMA, but only a CMA can be given certain tasks by a doctor, PA or nurse practitioner. State law sets a legal definition for the role, and CMA is the common short form for certified medical assistant. Doctors, physician assistants and advanced practice nurses can assign certain tasks to a CMA.

Some conditions apply. The clinician giving the task has to be ready to step in right away, and the CMA needs to wear a badge that shows their role. Those who hold the title of physician assistant or advanced practice nurse may not hand a CMA tasks such as giving IV or controlled medications, performing triage, or taking x-rays, unless that CMA is also a limited practice radiographer.

Workers who are not CMAs are treated as unlicensed assistive personnel. That describes staff without a state credential, and they cannot give medications except in cases the law permits. South Carolina law allows clinicians to assign certain tasks to certified medical assistants, within set limits.

In South Carolina, 19 schools share details about their medical assistant graduates with the federal education survey, which appears on College Navigator. Of those schools, 13 offer an accredited program. Accreditation means an outside organization, CAAHEP or ABHES, has reviewed the program and confirmed it meets their standards.

Most programs at career schools last about 9 months, according to federal school data. Nationally, the median published cost for a full program at a career school comes to $17,257, which includes tuition, fees and books. At public colleges, the median charge is $4,346 for local students taking a full year of classes.

Distance learning is an option at some programs. Even so, the supervised clinical practice, known as a practicum or externship, happens in person at a clinic or office.

Asking the school directly gives you the quickest answers about start dates, cost and schedules. The program tables here let you choose an accredited program and send that school a request.

1. Browse the program table and choose the accredited program that fits you.
2. Find and open the "Request information" form after the table.
3. Fill in your name, email, phone, ZIP code and your preferred start time.
4. Submit the form, and your request arrives at that single school.

Pick one accredited program and send its short "Request information" form to ask that school about cost, schedules and start dates.