Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $76,600 -22.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.83
10th percentile $29,750
90th percentile $124,440
Employed locally 40
National median $99,240

Compare Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary & buying power

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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,750
    25th
    $48,450
    50th (median)
    $76,600
    75th
    $109,820
    90th
    $124,440

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary vs area income 116% Median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary is 16% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $168,280
    Midland, TX $165,830
    Texas $155,330
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $142,150
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $136,250
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $130,580

    Nearby metros — Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $124,270
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $91,430
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $87,990
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $82,720
    Wisconsin $80,610
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $76,060

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$53,960
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$77,890
    Chemical Technicians$61,320
    School Psychologists$77,080
    Chemists$65,450
    Social Science Research Assistants$69,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Columbia, SC is $36.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.02 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries?

    The median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Columbia, SC is 22.8% below the national median of $99,240. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Columbia?

    Entry-level Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (10th percentile) earn around $29,750 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,450.