Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Columbia, SC
Social and Human Service Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $38,550 a year ($18.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,280 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $45,930. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $38,550. There are 2.8 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| 25th percentile | $34,390 | $16.54 |
| Median | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| 75th percentile | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Average (mean) | $42,520 | $20.44 |
Half of social and human service assistants 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 | $3,212.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,606.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,482.69 |
| Weekly | $741.35 |
| Hourly | $18.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,550 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.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,480 | 2,120 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $43,480 | 170 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $43,240 | 690 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $38,980 | 930 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $38,660 | 390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $38,560 | 340 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $37,790 | 270 |
| Sumter, SC | $36,800 | 90 |
| Florence, SC | $35,260 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for social and human service assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,460 |
| Washington | $54,770 |
| Oregon | $51,230 |
| California | $51,090 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 |
| Maine | $47,710 |
| Colorado | $47,690 |
| Idaho | $47,540 |
See Social and Human Service Assistants 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 21-1093. 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 social and human service assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $38,550 a year, or $18.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $60,280 a year. The top 25% earn $46,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,870 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $34,390 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,090 social and human service assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.