Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbia, SC
Nursing Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $37,400 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,144 take-home, or $2,595 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,308
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,319
- Medicare (1.45%)$542
- South Carolina income tax$1,087
- Take-home pay$31,144
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,450 | $14.64 | $25,977 | $2,165 |
| 25th percentile | $34,020 | $16.36 | $28,631 | $2,386 |
| Median (50th) | $37,400 | $17.98 | $31,144 | $2,595 |
| 75th percentile | $39,340 | $18.91 | $32,586 | $2,716 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,920 | $22.08 | $37,479 | $3,123 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,400 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $31,144 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,251 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, SC has 1.5× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #86 of 113 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $47,240 | $40,137 | $39,999 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | $36,468 | $39,768 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $43,954 | $39,551 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $45,097 | $39,007 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,690 | $37,663 | $38,853 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $43,980 | $36,168 | $38,659 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,619 | $38,536 |
| 86 | Columbia, SC | $37,400 | $31,144 | $33,251 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 113 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $37,220
- Charleston, SC — $38,810
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $37,400 a year, or about $17.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,020 and $39,340.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $37,400 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $31,144 a year ($2,595 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,087 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,251 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #86 of 113 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $30,210