Psychiatrist salary in Columbia, SC
Psychiatrists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $251,060 a year ($120.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $147,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $303,590 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $281,870. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $237,250. There are 0.22 psychiatrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $242,880, close to the median.
Pay range for psychiatrists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $147,100 | $70.72 |
| 25th percentile | $217,060 | $104.36 |
| Median | $251,060 | $120.70 |
| 75th percentile | $281,770 | $135.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $303,590 | $145.96 |
| Average (mean) | $242,880 | $116.77 |
Half of psychiatrists 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 | $20,921.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $10,460.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $9,656.15 |
| Weekly | $4,828.08 |
| Hourly | $120.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Psychiatrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $247,450 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $169,850 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $103,200 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for psychiatrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $353,500 |
| Louisiana | $345,040 |
| Alaska | $342,170 |
| Minnesota | $336,410 |
| Wisconsin | $331,070 |
| Connecticut | $326,670 |
| Florida | $316,200 |
| Oregon | $314,880 |
| Missouri | $312,680 |
| Maryland | $305,320 |
See Psychiatrist 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 29-1223. 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 psychiatrist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for psychiatrists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $251,060 a year, or $120.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $147,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $303,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatrists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of psychiatrists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $303,590 a year. The top 25% earn $281,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatrists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $147,100 a year, and a quarter of psychiatrists earn $217,060 or less.
How many psychiatrists work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 psychiatrists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.