Training and Development Specialists salary in Columbia, SC
Training and Development Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $61,460 a year ($29.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,390 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $69,280. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $63,070. There are 3.6 training and development specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for training and development specialists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,610 | $19.05 |
| 25th percentile | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Median | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| 75th percentile | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Average (mean) | $67,810 | $32.60 |
Half of training and development 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 | $5,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,560.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,363.85 |
| Weekly | $1,181.92 |
| Hourly | $29.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Training and Development Specialists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,610 | 830 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $70,680 | 1,180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $68,480 | 5,380 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $66,460 | 410 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $64,740 | 140 |
| Florence, SC | $63,000 | 250 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $60,610 | 1,330 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $60,350 | 250 |
| Sumter, SC | $56,930 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for training and development specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $88,570 |
| New Hampshire | $86,050 |
| Alaska | $81,860 |
| Washington | $81,860 |
| District of Columbia | $80,980 |
| Massachusetts | $80,270 |
| Connecticut | $78,080 |
| Vermont | $77,800 |
| Virginia | $77,690 |
| New Jersey | $77,020 |
See Training and Development Specialists 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 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| 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 |
| 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 13-1151. 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 training and development specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for training and development specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $61,460 a year, or $29.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid training and development specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of training and development specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $105,390 a year. The top 25% earn $78,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for training and development specialists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,610 a year, and a quarter of training and development specialists earn $47,840 or less.
How many training and development specialists work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,440 training and development specialists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.