Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Piedmont Technical College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$28,238

57th percentile

60th percentile in South Carolina

Median Debt

$12,292

29% above national median

Analysis

Piedmont Technical College's allied health certificate sits in the middle of South Carolina's competitive medical assistant landscape—performing better than the state median but trailing several community college peers by roughly $2,000-$4,000 annually. At $29,599 four years out, graduates earn just above the state average, placing this program in the 60th percentile among the state's 19 similar programs. Those modest earnings relative to top-performing programs like Spartanburg CC ($32,200) are worth noting if your student has geographic flexibility.

The financial fundamentals work in this program's favor. With $12,292 in typical debt—matching the state median—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning they owe less than half their first-year salary. Nearly half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves working-class students who need affordable pathways to healthcare careers. Earnings show slight upward movement ($28,238 to $29,599), which is typical stability for medical assisting roles rather than dramatic growth.

For a one-year certificate leading to immediate employment in healthcare, these numbers represent reasonable value. Your student gets a quick credential with manageable debt and earnings that beat national averages. However, if they can access programs like Spartanburg or Midlands Technical College—which deliver 8-10% higher earnings—the geographic trade-off might be worth exploring.

Where Piedmont Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Piedmont Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Piedmont Technical College	$28,238	$29,599	+5%
Southeastern College-Charleston	$28,689	$30,868	+8%
Fortis College-Columbia	$27,198	$29,402	+8%
Central Carolina Technical College	$26,294	$28,014	+7%
York Technical College	$27,977	$26,691	-5%

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (19 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood	$4,775	$28,238	$29,599	$12,292	0.44
Spartanburg Community CollegeSpartanburg	$5,046	$32,200	—	$9,490	0.29
Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia	$4,788	$31,912	—	$19,024	0.60
Technical College of the LowcountryBeaufort	$5,500	$31,348	—	—	—
Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth Charleston	$24,184	$28,689	$30,868	$14,198	0.49
Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville	$5,044	$27,979	—	—	—
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Piedmont Technical College, approximately 48% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 41 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.