Health Education Specialist salary in Columbia, SC
Health Education Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $62,960 a year ($30.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,460 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $64,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $64,720. There are 0.33 health education specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $66,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for health education specialists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,770 | $21.04 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Median | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| 75th percentile | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,460 | $48.30 |
| Average (mean) | $66,890 | $32.16 |
Half of health education specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,623.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,421.54 |
| Weekly | $1,210.77 |
| Hourly | $30.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Health Education Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $77,740 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $76,400 | 70 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $67,710 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $54,070 | 580 |
Highest-paying states for health education specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $104,470 |
| District of Columbia | $103,330 |
| Georgia | $99,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 |
| Minnesota | $78,400 |
| Washington | $77,420 |
| Iowa | $75,750 |
| Oregon | $75,500 |
| Rhode Island | $75,360 |
| Colorado | $74,150 |
See Health Education Specialist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Community Health Worker | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,710 | $25.82 |
| Clergy | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $39,210 | $18.85 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a health education specialist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for health education specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $62,960 a year, or $30.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid health education specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of health education specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $100,460 a year. The top 25% earn $81,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for health education specialists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,770 a year, and a quarter of health education specialists earn $45,610 or less.
How many health education specialists work in Columbia, SC?
About 130 health education specialists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.