Science & Research Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median epidemiologist salary in Columbia, SC is $70,668 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$70,668
vs State Avg
+$785
vs National
$-7,852
Cost of Living
90%

Epidemiologist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median epidemiologist salary of $70,668, which is $785 above the South Carolina state average of $69,883. Compared to the national median of $78,520, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for epidemiologists in Columbia spans from $45,000 at the 10th percentile to $113,400 at the 90th percentile — a $68,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $46,800, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $108,000. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $46,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $108,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$72,000
$-8,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$108,000
$-12,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $45,000
25th Percentile $55,800
Median (50th) $70,668
75th Percentile $90,900
90th Percentile $113,400

Epidemiologist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$82,446
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$78,520
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$74,594
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$72,238
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Columbia

Education

Most epidemiologist positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $70,668 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $45,000 (10th percentile) to $113,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $70,668, a epidemiologist in Columbia earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Columbia's median epidemiologist salary of $70,668 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $69,883. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a epidemiologist salary of $70,668 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Columbia? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Columbia require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.