Veterinarian salary in Columbia, SC
Veterinarians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $129,960 a year ($62.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,150 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $122,130. There are 0.54 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $139,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| 25th percentile | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Median | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| 75th percentile | $164,980 | $79.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,150 | $105.84 |
| Average (mean) | $139,410 | $67.02 |
Half of veterinarians 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 | $10,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,998.46 |
| Weekly | $2,499.23 |
| Hourly | $62.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $129,080 | 750 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $128,630 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $123,920 | 320 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $122,130 | 330 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $121,420 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $120,110 | 140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $103,490 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian 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 |
| 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 29-1131. 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 veterinarian make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $129,960 a year, or $62.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $220,150 a year. The top 25% earn $164,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,510 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $101,640 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Columbia, SC?
About 210 veterinarians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.