Pharmacist salary in Columbia, SC
Pharmacists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $133,850 a year ($64.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,540 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $135,700. There are 2.7 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,530, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| 25th percentile | $114,510 | $55.05 |
| Median | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| 75th percentile | $152,600 | $73.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,540 | $81.51 |
| Average (mean) | $129,530 | $62.28 |
Half of pharmacists 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 | $11,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,577.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,148.08 |
| Weekly | $2,574.04 |
| Hourly | $64.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $155,020 | 320 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $153,610 | 480 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $150,580 | 2,530 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $145,950 | 920 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $137,360 | 180 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $135,580 | 900 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $135,410 | 320 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $131,630 | 620 |
| Sumter, SC | $129,820 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist 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 |
| 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 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
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 29-1051. 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 pharmacist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $133,850 a year, or $64.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $169,540 a year. The top 25% earn $152,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,390 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $114,510 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,050 pharmacists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.