SOC 43-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay in Columbia, SC is $39,630 a year, 26.9% under the national median of $54,210 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Columbia, SC is $39,630 a year, 26.9% under the national median of $54,210 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $35,770 and $46,640. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,590 and the ninetieth at $56,330.
The area has 470 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.2 of every thousand jobs. Charleston leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $43,200. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 393rd of 511 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,590 | −36.2% |
| 25th | $35,770 | −34.0% |
| Median (50th) | $39,630 | −26.9% |
| 75th | $46,640 | −14.0% |
| 90th | $56,330 | +3.9% |
| Mean | $42,870 | −20.9% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $43,200 | 180 | |
| 2 | Greenville | $42,910 | 250 | |
| 3 | Hilton Head Island | $42,230 | 50 | |
| 4 | Florence | $38,670 | 90 | |
| 5 | Spartanburg | $38,670 | 120 | |
| 6 | Sumter | $38,070 | 40 | |
| 7 | Myrtle Beach | $37,550 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $39,630 goes as far as $42,295 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,295US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,630 a year, 26.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,590 to $56,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 470 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charleston, at $43,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $39,630, or $19.05 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $54,210, so pay in Columbia, SC is 26.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbia, SC earns more than $56,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,590 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charleston, at $43,200 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 470 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data