Human Resources Specialist Salary in Columbia, SC
Human Resources Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $67,990 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $53,739 take-home, or $4,478 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,128
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,215
- Medicare (1.45%)$986
- South Carolina income tax$2,922
- Take-home pay$53,739
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,200 | $22.21 | $37,687 | $3,141 |
| 25th percentile | $53,310 | $25.63 | $42,973 | $3,581 |
| Median (50th) | $67,990 | $32.69 | $53,739 | $4,478 |
| 75th percentile | $87,420 | $42.03 | $66,242 | $5,520 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,550 | $53.63 | $81,770 | $6,814 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $67,990 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $53,739 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,375 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #125 of 217 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $94,520 | $71,704 | $82,356 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 3 | Davenport, IA | $79,670 | $62,502 | $70,165 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $83,810 | $63,615 | $70,044 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $76,550 | $62,449 | $68,723 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $90,290 | $72,349 | $68,508 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | $61,659 | $68,077 |
| 125 | Columbia, SC | $67,990 | $53,739 | $57,375 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 217 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Spartanburg, SC — $67,410
- Greenville, SC — $66,870
- Florence, SC — $61,300
- Charleston, SC — $70,580
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $61,570
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Columbia, SC?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $67,990 a year, or about $32.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,310 and $87,420.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $67,990 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $53,739 a year ($4,478 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,922 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,375 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #125 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Management Analyst — $93,250
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $87,630
- Project Management Specialist — $85,260
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $77,400
- Logistician — $75,800
- Compliance Officer — $72,990
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $71,820
- Accountant and Auditor — $69,210
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $68,600
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $67,290
- Cost Estimator — $65,850
- Loan Officer — $64,660