Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $50.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a clinical and counseling psychologist working in Columbia, SC runs $50.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,038 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,026 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay is projected to be $50.50 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $50.81. For those working part-time or as per-diem professionals, this rate translates to a significant earning potential, especially when operating in clinical settings such as hospitals, private practices, or community health organizations. Entry-level psychologists can expect to earn around $34.35 per hour, while experienced professionals in top positions may earn as much as $68.47 per hour. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlight the financial viability of pursuing a career in mental health services in Columbia.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.35 | $274.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.53 | $380.22 |
| Median (P50) | $50.50 | $404.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.60 | $476.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.47 | $547.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $50.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.50/hr, a clinical and counseling psychologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $105,043 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,602. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,020.06 | $8,754 | $105,043 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,212.03 | $5,252 | $63,026 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.02 | $3,501 | $42,017 |
Compare CCP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist (Columbia) | $50.50 |
| School Psychologist (National Avg) | $41.79 |
| Psychiatrist (National Avg) | $116.00 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.16 |
| Clinical Social Worker (Mental Health & Substance Abuse) (National Avg) | $30.99 |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Columbia, SC earn a median of $105,038 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 8.60% above the South Carolina state average of $96,720.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.50/hr = $63,026/year (purchasing power: $67,291).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,043/year (purchasing power: $112,151).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$44.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.50/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+19.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Columbia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $44.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Columbia grew 8.6% from $44.25/hr (2021) to $48.06/hr (2025). At a 5.08% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem clinical and counseling psychologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Clinical and Counseling Psychologist in Columbia
For those considering part-time roles, a clinical and counseling psychologist working three days a week for 24 hours would take home approximately $62,000 annually, which is considerably lower than full-time income potential. Many of these professionals are also attracted to per-diem roles, where compensation can often exceed standard rates by 10-25%, leading to attractive opportunities in agency settings. Hourly pay rates can differ significantly based on the type of employer; private practices may offer lower rates compared to larger healthcare organizations, which often have the resources to provide more competitive salaries and benefits. In Columbia, some psychologists may choose the stability of lower hourly pay with benefits over higher rates without health insurance. It's advisable for hourly workers in this field to negotiate effectively by highlighting their skills and experience, considering the overall compensation when assessing job offers.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Columbia in 2026?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in clinical psychology. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. Maria works at a mental health clinic in Chicago.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for clinical and counseling psychologists in Columbia. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov