Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Columbia is 510.
  • Social Workers in Columbia earn an average of $48,100 per year or $23.13 per hour.
  • The percentage of South Carolina Social Workers who work in Columbia is 17%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Columbia is less than 1%.

Rankings for Columbia

  • Ranks #3 in South Carolina for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in South Carolina for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #262 in the nation for salary and #309 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #131 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to South Carolina

Columbia Social Workers earn an average of $48,100 or $23.13 per hour which is 5% more than the South Carolina average salary of $45,710.

AverageColumbiaSouth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$23.13$21.985.23%
Annual Salary$48,100$45,7105.23%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Columbia Social Workers earn an average of $48,100 or $23.13 per hour which is 12% less than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AverageColumbiaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$23.13$26.39-12.35%
Annual Salary$48,100$54,880-12.35%
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, Social Workers in Columbia earns an average annual salary of $52,678 which compares to the South Carolina average annual salary of $45,710. 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 $45,710.
  • South Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $49,875.
  • Columbia average salary is $48,100.
  • Columbia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $52,678.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Columbia$48,10091.31%$52,678
South Carolina$45,71091.65%$49,875
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Columbia, 50% of Social Workers earn between $38,610 and $49,340 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $62,870, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $37,130, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year51Under $37,130
15%2 – 4 years76$37,130 – $38,610
25%5 – 9 years128$38,610 – $46,380
25%10 – 14 years128$46,380 – $49,340
15%15 – 20 years76$46,380 – $62,870
10%20+ years51Above $62,870
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 $48,100, Columbia Social Workers tend to earn less than Psychology Teachers ($107,010), Forensic Psychologists ($87,630), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($83,060), School Psychologists ($68,380), and Health Care Social Workers ($56,370).

However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Substance Abuse Counselors ($41,810).

TitleAnnual Salary
Psychology Teachers$107,010
Forensic Psychologists$87,630
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$83,060
School Psychologists$68,380
Health Care Social Workers$56,370
Social Workers$48,100
Substance Abuse Counselors$41,810
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Columbia Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in Columbia is 510.

Social Workers earn an average of $48,100 per year or $23.13 per hour in Columbia.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Columbia Social Workers earn an average of $52,678 per year or $25 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Columbia are Psychology Teachers($107,010), Forensic Psychologists($87,630), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($83,060).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in South Carolina cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data