Rehabilitation Counselor salary in Columbia, SC
Rehabilitation Counselors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $35,880 a year ($17.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,470 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $46,850. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $35,990. There are 0.39 rehabilitation counselors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $43,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rehabilitation counselors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,620 | $13.28 |
| 25th percentile | $35,330 | $16.99 |
| Median | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 75th percentile | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,470 | $34.36 |
| Average (mean) | $43,540 | $20.93 |
Half of rehabilitation counselors 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 | $2,990 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,495 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,380 |
| Weekly | $690 |
| Hourly | $17.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,880 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.
Rehabilitation Counselor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,290 | 820 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $38,210 | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $36,420 | 90 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $35,910 | 50 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $35,870 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $35,580 | 80 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,060 | 60 |
| Florence, SC | $33,500 | 90 |
| Sumter, SC | $31,020 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for rehabilitation counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $67,640 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 |
| Alaska | $61,590 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 |
| Washington | $58,050 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 |
| Georgia | $55,000 |
| Oregon | $54,970 |
| Idaho | $54,550 |
| Alabama | $54,040 |
See Rehabilitation Counselor 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 |
| 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 21-1015. 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 rehabilitation counselor make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for rehabilitation counselors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $35,880 a year, or $17.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rehabilitation counselors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of rehabilitation counselors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $71,470 a year. The top 25% earn $46,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for rehabilitation counselors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,620 a year, and a quarter of rehabilitation counselors earn $35,330 or less.
How many rehabilitation counselors work in Columbia, SC?
About 150 rehabilitation counselors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.