Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Nursing Assistants currently employed in Columbia is 3,040.
  • Nursing Assistants in Columbia earn an average of $29,650 per year or $14.25 per hour.
  • The percentage of South Carolina Nursing Assistants who work in Columbia is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Nursing Assistants who work in Columbia is less than 1%.

Rankings for Columbia

  • Ranks #4 in South Carolina for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in South Carolina for the number of nurses employed.
  • Ranks #331 in the nation for salary and #309 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #87 in the nation for the number of nurses employed.

Compared to South Carolina

Columbia Nursing Assistants earn an average of $29,650 or $14.25 per hour which is 1% more than the South Carolina average salary of $29,260.

AverageColumbiaSouth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$14.25$14.071.28%
Annual Salary$29,650$29,2601.33%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Columbia Nursing Assistants earn an average of $29,650 or $14.25 per hour which is 10% less than the U.S. average salary of $33,250.

AverageColumbiaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$14.25$15.99-10.88%
Annual Salary$29,650$33,250-10.83%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Nursing Assistants in Columbia earns an average annual salary of $32,472 which compares to the South Carolina average annual salary of $29,260. per year.

Cost-of-living in Columbia is 9% less than the South Carolina average, which means Columbia residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to South Carolina average.

  • South Carolina average salary is $29,260.
  • South Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $31,926.
  • Columbia average salary is $29,650.
  • Columbia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $32,472.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Columbia$29,65091.31%$32,472
South Carolina$29,26091.65%$31,926
U.S.$33,250$33,250
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Columbia, 50% of Nursing Assistants earn between $24,300 and $30,260 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Nursing Assistants earn more than $36,350, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Nursing Assistants.

Approximately 10% of Nursing Assistants earn under $23,340, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Nursing Assistants.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year304Under $23,340
15%2 – 4 years456$23,340 – $24,300
25%5 – 9 years760$24,300 – $28,810
25%10 – 14 years760$28,810 – $30,260
15%15 – 20 years456$28,810 – $36,350
10%20+ years304Above $36,350
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $29,650, Columbia Nursing Assistants tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($208,840), Nurse Practitioners ($101,300), Registered Nurses ($69,350), and LPNs ($46,410).

TitleAnnual Salary
Nurse Anesthetists$208,840
Nurse Practitioners$101,300
Registered Nurses$69,350
LPNs$46,410
Nursing Assistants$29,650
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Columbia Nursing Assistants

The number of Nursing Assistants currently employed in Columbia is 3,040.

Nursing Assistants earn an average of $29,650 per year or $14.25 per hour in Columbia.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Columbia Nursing Assistants earn an average of $32,472 per year or $16 per hour.

The types of nurses that are paid the highest annual salary in Columbia are Nurse Anesthetists($208,840), Nurse Practitioners($101,300), Registered Nurses($69,350).


Additional Salary Reports for Nursing Assistants in South Carolina cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Nursing Assistants: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data