Average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary in Columbia, SC
The average salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths in Columbia, SC is $75,440. While this is lower than the national average, the cost of living in Columbia, SC may offset the difference, preserving real purchasing power.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $75,440 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $124,090.
- Outlook: The current demand for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 120 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Columbia, SC economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Columbia, SC earns-17.6%below the national average.
$36.3
$1,451
$6,287
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salaries in Columbia, SC have experienced a rapid surge, growing by 20.3%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Distribution in Columbia, SC
The earning potential for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths in Columbia, SC varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 2.9x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $43,350, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $124,090.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $43,350 | $20.8 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $56,580 | $27.2 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $64,800 | $31.2 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $94,300 | $45.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $124,090 | $59.7 |
Detailed Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$75,440
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$75,440
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Columbia, SC, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $75,440 to $75,440.
Job Market Context
120
Total Jobs
0.322
Per 1K Jobs
0.59
Location Quotient
Columbia, SC has 0.59x the national average concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
120 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Columbia, SC.
Only 0.322 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in Columbia, SC?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Columbia, SC is $75,440. This typically ranges from $43,350 for entry-level positions to $124,090 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Columbia, SC is 17.6% lower than the national median of $91,550.
Is Columbia, SC a good place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
It depends on your priorities. While the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in Columbia, SC is $75,440 (below the national average), the area may offer a lower cost of living or other lifestyle benefits typical of Columbia, SC. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to live for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
The Cost of Living Index in Columbia, SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 120 employees in the Columbia, SC area with a job density of 0.322 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Columbia, SC