School Psychologist salary in Columbia, SC
School Psychologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $81,370 a year ($39.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,460 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $95,990. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $76,720. There are 0.26 school psychologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $82,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for school psychologists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| 25th percentile | $65,670 | $31.57 |
| Median | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| 75th percentile | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,460 | $51.18 |
| Average (mean) | $82,280 | $39.56 |
Half of school psychologists 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 | $6,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,390.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,129.62 |
| Weekly | $1,564.81 |
| Hourly | $39.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
School Psychologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $89,530 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $80,850 | 410 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $75,880 | 100 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $75,390 | 70 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $67,280 | 80 |
| Florence, SC | $66,490 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for school psychologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $127,780 |
| Colorado | $124,770 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 |
| Maryland | $109,700 |
| Washington | $108,780 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 |
| New York | $106,550 |
| Oregon | $106,070 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 |
| Georgia | $99,110 |
See School Psychologist 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 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| 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 19-3034. 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 school psychologist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for school psychologists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $81,370 a year, or $39.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school psychologists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of school psychologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $106,460 a year. The top 25% earn $94,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for school psychologists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,010 a year, and a quarter of school psychologists earn $65,670 or less.
How many school psychologists work in Columbia, SC?
About 100 school psychologists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.