Human Resources Specialist salary in Columbia, SC
Human Resources Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $67,990 a year ($32.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,550 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 4% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $65,370. There are 5.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| 25th percentile | $53,310 | $25.63 |
| Median | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| 75th percentile | $87,420 | $42.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,550 | $53.63 |
| Average (mean) | $74,370 | $35.75 |
Half of human resources specialists 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 | $5,665.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,832.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,615 |
| Weekly | $1,307.50 |
| Hourly | $32.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,330 | 8,930 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $70,580 | 2,190 |
| Sumter, SC | $69,990 | 160 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $69,740 | 300 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $67,410 | 850 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,120 | 1,210 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $66,870 | 2,430 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $61,570 | 560 |
| Florence, SC | $61,300 | 510 |
Highest-paying states for human resources specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| Massachusetts | $85,630 |
| Washington | $84,550 |
| New York | $84,380 |
| Maryland | $83,910 |
| California | $83,500 |
| Connecticut | $82,890 |
| Virginia | $82,090 |
| Colorado | $80,840 |
| New Jersey | $80,690 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Cost Estimator | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Logistician | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Fundraiser | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $71,620 | $34.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1071. 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 human resources specialist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $67,990 a year, or $32.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $111,550 a year. The top 25% earn $87,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,200 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $53,310 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Columbia, SC?
About 2,270 human resources specialists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.