As a medical assistant (MA), you get the benefit of helping physicians and other medical professionals care for patients.
You get to reap the reward of assisting patients and making their experience as pleasant as possible while playing a vital role in their healthcare.
Let’s discuss how you can become an MA in South Carolina and how much you can expect to earn.
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5 Medical Assistant Schools in South Carolina
You have countless options to complete an MA program in SC, but these are a few examples to help you compare.
1. East Coast Polytechnic Institute
East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI) can prepare you to work in a physician’s office, chiropractic office, or more.
You will learn both the clerical and clinical aspects of practicing as a medical assistant.
You will receive hands-on training to help you learn how to take vitals, administer injections, draw blood, and more.
You’ll also complete bookwork to help you learn the basics of human anatomy and pharmacology.
The program consists of 34 credit hours and 1,170 contact hours.
This is for the diploma program, though you may opt for the associate’s of applied science, which will take you longer.
With the diploma, you can earn sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
On the other hand, if you earn an associate’s, you will be eligible for the CMA exam or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization.
The cost to earn the associate’s degree is $16,639, while the diploma program is less costly.
2. Piedmont Technical College
At Piedmont Technical College, you may earn a diploma in medical assisting that will qualify you to take the CMT exam.
During your time in the program, you will complete coursework related to medical terminology, physiology, and psychology.
You will learn the hands-on skills you need to work with patients on a regular basis, such as test preparation, taking vitals, performing first aid, administering medications, performing certain diagnostics, and more.
The program will also include preparing you to complete medical documentation properly and fulfill other administrative duties.
It is a 47-credit-hour program.
At the end of the program, you earn a diploma in medical assisting, qualifying you for the CMA examination.
You can expect to pay $4,302 for tuition for the program.
3. Central Carolina Technical College
After you complete a medical assisting program from Central Carolina Technical College, you will be able to sit for either the CMA or RMA examinations.
This particular program is a diploma program and provides you with 52-credit hours of training.
Throughout your time in the program, you will take basic biology and healthcare courses related to pharmacology and anatomy.
An individual who enrolls in this program will learn about medication administration and how to complete any documentation necessary to remain compliant with South Carolina law.
The tuition for this program is $9,483 in total.
4. Forrest College
In Forrest College’s program, you will learn the basics of how a medical office runs, from scheduling to billing.
You will learn clinical skills to address patient care, including taking vitals, performing first aid, and administering CPR.
You will learn about infectious disease control, how to assist when examining a patient, and how to perform and prepare for various medical processes.
This is an associate degree program that’ll qualify you to take either the CMA or RMA. You’ll also receive a phlebotomy diploma. You can expect to pay $10,650 for the program.
5. Greenville Technical College
Greenville Technical College offers a certificate program in applied science for medical assisting.
It will give you 38 credit hours.
It covers all the topics you’ll need to know to help with administrative duties and clinical work.
For instance, you will learn about insurance and billing and scheduling, as well as taking vitals, preparing and assisting with physical examinations, and performing pulmonary function tests, EKGs, and various other tests.
Once you complete the program, you will be eligible for your CMA.
The cost of this program is $7,298.
Medical Assistant Schools in South Carolina – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in South Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| East Coast Polytechnic Institute | 4101 Doie Cope Rd. Raleigh, NC 27613 |
| Piedmont Technical College | 620 Emerald Rd N, Greenwood, SC 29646 |
| Central Carolina Technical College | 506 N Guignard Dr, Sumter, SC 29150 |
| Forrest College | 601 E River St, Anderson, SC 29624 |
| Greenville Technical College | 506 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607 |
Salary for South Carolina Medical Assistants
Before you attend college for a medical assisting diploma or degree program, you may wonder what your earning potential is in the state.
The average you will earn depends on the city and facility where you work.
For example, the median wage for a medical assistant in Columbia is 35,133.
The top earners in the city make $40,490.
In Sumter, SC, the median wage is $33,903 annually, while the top earners receive $39,072.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in South Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $35,133 |
| Charleston | $36,005 |
| North Charleston | $36,005 |
| Greenville | $36,015 |
| Rock Hill | $37,319 |
| Mount Pleasant | $36,005 |
| Spartanburg | $35,434 |
| Sumter | $33,903 |
| Hilton Head Island | $35,396 |
| Florence | $34,176 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,440 | $41,500 | $19.95 | $47,500 | $35,260 |
| Columbia, SC | 1,800 | $37,550 | $18.06 | $44,980 | $30,660 |
| Florence, SC | 460 | $34,790 | $16.73 | $43,540 | $28,430 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 1,970 | $40,110 | $19.29 | $47,510 | $31,370 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 450 | $37,560 | $18.06 | $47,960 | $26,450 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 1,020 | $36,870 | $17.73 | $46,000 | $25,520 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 520 | $38,900 | $18.7 | $44,790 | $31,730 |
| Sumter, SC | 140 | $36,120 | $17.37 | $44,290 | $27,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have to Complete an Associate's Degree Program to Sit for the CMA Exam?
No, you do not need to complete an associate’s degree program in the state to become an MA.
You may complete a diploma or certificate program and still qualify.
However, you may want to complete an associate’s degree to be more marketable to prospective employers.
Do You Need a Formal Education to Become an MA in SC?
No, you do not need to complete any type of program to sit for the CMA test in SC.
You can take the examination if you have clinical, hands-on experience.
Technically, you do not even need a certificate to work as an MA in SC at all.
How Often Do You Need to Renew Your CMA in SC?
If you choose to get your CMA, it needs to be renewed every five years.
How Often Do You Need to Renew Your RMA in SC?
If you get an RMA, you will need to renew it every five years in SC.
Do I Need to Take Continuing Education Credits?
Yes, you will need to take continuing education credits when renewing your certification, particularly a child abuse course.
