Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Salary in Columbia, SC
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Columbia, SC make a median of $77,890 a year, or about $37.45 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.66), which stretches that salary to about $83,163 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,276/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Columbia?
About occupational health and safety specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, SC
Entry-level occupational health and safety specialists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $117K or more - a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $116K | +38% | 270 |
| California | $100K | +19% | 14,600 |
| Washington | $98K | +17% | 3,820 |
| Rhode Island | $98K | +17% | 220 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 2,280 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +15% | 3,380 |
| Minnesota | $94K | +12% | 2,390 |
| Wyoming | $93K | +11% | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $92K | +10% | 580 |
| Alaska | $92K | +9% | 380 |
| New Jersey | $91K | +9% | 2,840 |
| Connecticut | $91K | +8% | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $90K | +7% | 610 |
| New York | $88K | +4% | 5,520 |
| Georgia | $87K | +4% | 2,970 |
Track occupational health and safety specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do occupational health and safety specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The median is $77,890 a year - that works out to about $37.45 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,610, and experienced occupational health and safety specialists can clear $117,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,985/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,276/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a occupational health and safety specialists salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 93.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational health and safety specialists salary is worth about $83,163 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational health and safety specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.