Surgical Assistants Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
The median pay for a surgical assistants in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $96,150/year ($46.23/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $147K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $95,236 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,787/month, or 29.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $96K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level surgical assistants (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K.Top earners bring in $147K or more - a $112K spread from bottom to top.
Surgical Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $110K | +82% | N/A |
| Arizona | $108K | +78% | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $105K | +74% | 110 |
| Minnesota | $100K | +66% | 180 |
| South Carolina | $98K | +63% | 520 |
| Kentucky | $82K | +36% | 360 |
| Tennessee | $78K | +30% | 1,010 |
| Texas | $77K | +27% | 2,770 |
| New Hampshire | $75K | +24% | 210 |
| New Jersey | $74K | +22% | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $72K | +19% | 630 |
| Washington | $69K | +15% | 120 |
| Montana | $65K | +7% | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $65K | +7% | 500 |
| Illinois | $62K | +3% | 1,220 |
Track surgical assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do surgical assistants make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $96,150 a year - that works out to about $46.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,520, and experienced surgical assistants can clear $146,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,959/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 30% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a surgical assistants salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surgical assistants salary is worth about $95,236 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surgical assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.