Columbia, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Medical Secretary Salary in Columbia, SC

In the Columbia, SC metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $40,100 ($19.28/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,700/year and the 90th was $56,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,900 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$40,100$19.28 per hour · $3,342 monthly
10th Percentile$34,700$16.68/hr base
25th Percentile$36,900$17.74/hr base
75th Percentile$46,600$22.40/hr base
90th Percentile$56,800$27.31/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$40,100
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$40,100
Net 85%
Fed 7%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,900After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,825Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,304Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,632 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$500 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,068 / yr

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$16.68/hr$2,892$34,700$29,669
25th Percentile$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$31,393
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.28/hr$3,342$40,100$33,900
75th Percentile$22.40/hr$3,883$46,600$38,849
90th Percentile$27.31/hr$4,733$56,800$46,368

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbia, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$40,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,359Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.76.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio58.7%of area median income

Compare medical secretaries salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Pay in Columbia, SC

What is the median salary for medical secretaries in Columbia, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in Columbia, SC is $40,100, which equates to approximately $3,342 per month or $19.28 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical secretaries in Columbia, SC?

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in Columbia, SC is $19.28 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.68/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.31/hour.

What is the pay range for medical secretaries in Columbia, SC?

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in Columbia, SC span from $34,700 at the 10th percentile to $36,900 at the 25th, $46,600 at the 75th, and $56,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical secretaries take home after taxes in Columbia, SC?

On a median gross salary of $40,100, an estimated $33,900 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,304 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,200 (an effective rate of 15.5%).

How much do medical secretaries make per month in Columbia, SC?

On the median annual salary of $40,100, gross monthly income is $3,342. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,825 per month (or $1,304 every two weeks).

Is $40,100 a good salary in Columbia, SC?

At $40,100, the median salary for medical secretaries is 58.7% of the Columbia, SC median household income ($68,359). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.7, making regional consumer goods and services 6.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.