Urban and Regional Planners salary in Columbia, SC
Urban and Regional Planners in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $71,910 a year ($34.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $89,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $75,810. There are 0.17 urban and regional planners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $74,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for urban and regional planners in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,170 | $23.16 |
| 25th percentile | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| Median | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| 75th percentile | $80,050 | $38.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Average (mean) | $74,660 | $35.89 |
Half of urban and regional planners 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 | $5,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,996.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,765.77 |
| Weekly | $1,382.88 |
| Hourly | $34.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,910 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.
Urban and Regional Planners salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $94,670 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $83,170 | 360 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $76,480 | 80 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $75,100 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $74,840 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $74,640 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for urban and regional planners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,000 |
| California | $109,610 |
| Oregon | $103,070 |
| Arizona | $102,400 |
| Colorado | $101,340 |
| Washington | $100,990 |
| Nevada | $100,040 |
| Connecticut | $99,880 |
| Massachusetts | $99,780 |
| Minnesota | $97,060 |
See Urban and Regional Planners pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $130,580 | $62.78 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Chemist | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $45,990 | $22.11 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3051. 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 urban and regional planners make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for urban and regional planners in the Columbia, SC metro area is $71,910 a year, or $34.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid urban and regional planners make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of urban and regional planners in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $109,300 a year. The top 25% earn $80,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for urban and regional planners in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,170 a year, and a quarter of urban and regional planners earn $58,460 or less.
How many urban and regional planners work in Columbia, SC?
About 70 urban and regional planners are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.