Healthcare Social Worker salary in Columbia, SC
Healthcare Social Workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $62,130 a year ($29.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,330 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $67,880. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $60,840. There are 1.7 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Median | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| 75th percentile | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Average (mean) | $63,560 | $30.56 |
Half of healthcare social workers 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 | $5,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,588.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,389.62 |
| Weekly | $1,194.81 |
| Hourly | $29.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,130 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.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $69,330 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $68,920 | 160 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $66,410 | 1,170 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $66,360 | 320 |
| Sumter, SC | $65,850 | 40 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $63,940 | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $62,870 | 490 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $60,680 | 400 |
| Florence, SC | $58,260 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
See Healthcare Social Worker 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 |
| 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 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| 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 21-1022. 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 healthcare social worker make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $62,130 a year, or $29.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $83,330 a year. The top 25% earn $77,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,760 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $46,110 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Columbia, SC?
About 660 healthcare social workers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.