Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Columbia, SC
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $87,820 a year ($42.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $97,870. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $90,530. There are 0.99 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| 25th percentile | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Median | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| 75th percentile | $106,080 | $51.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $89,410 | $42.99 |
Half of Speech-Language pathologists 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 | $7,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,659.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,377.69 |
| Weekly | $1,688.85 |
| Hourly | $42.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,790 | 370 |
| Florence, SC | $96,390 | 90 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $96,330 | 200 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,960 | 1,260 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $88,610 | 330 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $88,060 | 100 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $85,920 | 130 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $82,950 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for Speech-Language pathologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,970 |
| Colorado | $110,750 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 |
| Washington | $105,550 |
| Nevada | $104,510 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 |
| Delaware | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,670 |
| Oregon | $102,660 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 |
See Speech-Language Pathologist 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 |
| 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 29-1127. 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 Speech-Language pathologist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $87,820 a year, or $42.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $106,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,890 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $73,590 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Columbia, SC?
About 390 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.