Exercise Physiologist salary in Columbia, SC
Exercise Physiologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $48,800 a year ($23.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,920 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $59,460. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $46,550. There are 0.20 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,100 | $15.44 |
| 25th percentile | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| Median | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| 75th percentile | $54,910 | $26.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,920 | $32.66 |
| Average (mean) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
Half of exercise physiologists 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 | $4,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,033.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,876.92 |
| Weekly | $938.46 |
| Hourly | $23.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Exercise Physiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $53,250 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for exercise physiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $81,310 |
| Oregon | $71,630 |
| Minnesota | $67,230 |
| Massachusetts | $65,950 |
| New Jersey | $64,680 |
| Colorado | $63,800 |
| New Hampshire | $63,590 |
| Wisconsin | $63,210 |
| Connecticut | $62,510 |
| California | $62,440 |
See Exercise Physiologist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1128. 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 exercise physiologist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $48,800 a year, or $23.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $67,920 a year. The top 25% earn $54,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,100 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $44,590 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in Columbia, SC?
About 80 exercise physiologists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.