Empower Health: Top 10 Health Education & Counseling Careers in South Carolina (+ Salaries)

Published May 5, 2026 9 min read

Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of May 2026.

South Carolina’s healthcare landscape offers promising opportunities for those passionate about guiding others toward healthier lives. With over 900 active job postings across key roles in health education and counseling, and median salaries reaching over $67,000, pursuing a career in this field means making a significant impact while building a rewarding professional path. Discover the top roles in the Palmetto State that can help you launch your career.

Top Health Education & Counseling Jobs in South Carolina

1. Lactation Consultant

As a Lactation Consultant, you’ll work with new mothers to teach them how to feed their babies and manage breastfeeding issues. You’ll provide clinical help and emotional support, advise mothers on feeding schedules, and assist with babies experiencing slow weight gain.

Salary Range: You can expect to earn between $60,057 (entry-level) and $119,421 (top earners), with a median salary around $93,642.
Demand & Postings: Demand is currently low, with approximately 25 active postings, but the field is projected to grow by 2.8%.
Top Skills: Coordinating, sense of smell, lifting ability, problem-solving, and operations.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Registered Nurse (RN) (84%), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (60%), and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) (56%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, Novant Health, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Tenet Healthcare, Albany Medical Center.
Career Advancement: Advance your career as an OB/GYN Registered Nurse (potentially earning $20,579 more), Nurse Manager (+$14,579), or Cardiology Registered Nurse (+$25,392).

2. Diabetes Educator

A Diabetes Educator works with patients and their families to understand and manage diabetes. You’ll help patients learn how diabetes affects their bodies, teach them how to monitor blood sugar levels, administer medications, and manage diet and activity. Many Diabetes Educators are licensed as nurses, therapists, or nutritionists.

Salary Range: Salaries typically range from $66,654 (entry-level) to $127,804 (top earners), with a median salary of $82,124.
Demand & Postings: Demand is low with around 26 active postings, and the field is growing at 2.8%.
Top Skills: Management, communication, advocacy, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Salary-boosting skills include Diabetes Management and Diabetes Mellitus.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) (42%), Registered Nurse (RN) (27%), and Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) (27%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, Novo Nordisk, Tidelands Health, Lexington Medical Center, Medtronic.
Career Advancement: Potential paths include Nurse Manager (+$11,020), OB/GYN Registered Nurse (+$17,020), or Cardiology Registered Nurse (+$21,833).

3. Genetic Counselor

As a Genetic Counselor, you’ll provide healthcare guidance based on genetic factors. You’ll advise patients or relatives at risk of an inherited disorder about its consequences, nature, probability of developing or transmitting it, and available options for management and family planning. A certification in Genetic Counseling is typically required.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $59,009, with top earners reaching $103,367 and a median salary of $83,545.
Demand & Postings: Demand is low, with approximately 34 active postings, but the field is growing at 3.1%.
Top Skills: Management, research, communication, energetic, and leadership. Skills like Cancer Genetics, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Genetics can boost your salary.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC) (62%), Board Certified/Board Eligible (29%), and Microsoft Certified Professional (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, Novant Health, Labcorp, Lexington Medical Center, HCA Healthcare.
Career Advancement: Potential advancement includes Geneticist (+$84,091), Clinical Investigator (+$65,292), or Clinical Director (+$47,664).

4. First Aid Instructor

A First Aid Instructor provides instruction in first aid and life-saving skills and procedures. You’ll lead classes and hands-on practice in first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and more advanced life-saving techniques for individuals, educators, and medical professionals.

Salary Range: Salaries range from $48,453 (entry-level) to $108,747 (top earners), with a median salary of $79,359.
Demand & Postings: Demand is low, with around 80 active postings, and the field is growing at 2.8%.
Top Skills: Teaching, communication, first aid, constructive feedback, and interpersonal communications.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification (80%), First Aid Certification (68%), and Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (28%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Gosvea, Swift Safety Institute, Wset Certification Classes, TSD Healthcare, Amikids.
Career Advancement: You could advance to an Entertainment/Recreation Manager (+$8,994), School Nurse (+$9,916), or Clinical Nurse Educator (+$26,636).

5. Public Health Officer

As a Public Health Officer, you’ll work to promote public health, prevent disease, and provide information about public health issues. You might work for a public health program, coordinate services, or deliver public information during health crises like disease outbreaks.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $50,385, with top earners reaching $100,487 and a median salary of $67,519.
Demand & Postings: Demand is low, with approximately 8 active postings, and the field is growing at 2.8%.
Top Skills: Planning, communication, problem-solving, coordinating, and Microsoft Excel.
Top Employers in South Carolina: University of South Carolina Beaufort, Public Consulting Group, Amergis, Molina Healthcare, Vikor Scientific.
Career Advancement: Advance your career as a Public Health Program Director (Public Sector) (+$12,397), Epidemiologist (+$12,434), or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager/Director (+$48,148).

6. Health Educator (General)

A Health Educator creates programs designed to teach people and motivate them to follow healthy behaviors. You might work with individual patients, develop campaigns for larger groups, organize health screenings, or advise on public health policy.

Salary Range: Salaries typically range from $49,752 (entry-level) to $81,653 (top earners), with a median salary of $59,337.
Demand & Postings: Demand is low, with around 59 active postings, and the field is growing at 2.8%.
Top Skills: Communication, Microsoft Office, coordinating, management, and presentations.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (25%), Valid Driver’s License (24%), and Registered Nurse (RN) (20%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, Tidelands Health, Centerwell Limited Partnership, Prisma Health, State of South Carolina.
Career Advancement: You could become a Public Health Program Director (Public Sector) (+$38,997), Public Health Officer (+$26,600), or Public/Community Health Nurse (+$28,951).

7. Childbirth Educator

As a Childbirth Educator, you’ll lead classes to help parents and families prepare for childbirth. You’ll work with women and families during pregnancy, providing information, support, and referrals related to childbirth.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $44,563, with top earners reaching $83,150 and a median salary of $59,188.
Demand & Postings: Demand is low, with approximately 12 active postings, and the field is growing at 2.8%.
Top Skills: Creativity, teaching, record keeping, energetic, and planning.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Teaching Certificate (75%), American Red Cross (ARC) Certification (8%), and Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (8%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Fullmind, Medical University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina, Irmo High School – School District Five Of Lexington & Richland Counties, South Carolina.
Career Advancement: Potential paths include Clinical Nurse Educator (+$24,580), Lactation Consultant (+$23,588), or Nursing Instructor/Professor (+$13,042).

8. Patient Advocate / Navigator

A Patient Advocate or Navigator provides direct assistance to patients in healthcare or long-term care facilities. You’ll guide patients in understanding their options, making decisions about treatment plans and medical costs, provide emotional support, and serve as a liaison with healthcare providers.

Salary Range: Salaries typically range from $40,843 (entry-level) to $72,046 (top earners), with a median salary of $48,740.
Demand & Postings: Demand is medium, with a robust 317 active postings, though growth is slower at 1.3%.
Top Skills: Communication, customer service, advocacy, leadership, and scheduling.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (10%), Valid Driver’s License (9%), and Registered Nurse (RN) (9%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Agape Care Group, Your Health, Cardinal Health, Prisma Health, Piedmont Medical Center.
Career Advancement: You could advance to a Healthcare Administrator (General) (+$16,774), Clinical Supervisor/Manager (+$23,615), or Healthcare Program Manager (+$8,626).

9. Health and Wellness Coach

As a Health and Wellness Coach, you’ll work with clients to establish goals for improving their health and help them follow healthy behaviors. You’ll coach and support clients, potentially focusing on fitness, nutrition, stress management, or other health-related issues.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $39,953, with top earners reaching $66,624 and a median salary of $54,261.
Demand & Postings: Demand is medium, with approximately 187 active postings, and the field is growing at 2.7%.
Top Skills: Communication, coaching, customer service, interpersonal communications, and management.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification (19%), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) (13%), and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) (12%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: CVS Health, Sharecare, Spectraforce Technologies, US Tech Solutions, Bluecross Blueshield of South Carolina.
Career Advancement: Potential paths include Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor (+$12,683), Clinical Supervisor/Manager (+$42,060), or Program Officer (+$15,298).

10. Community Health Worker

A Community Health Worker works within the community to help individuals access medical care and healthcare resources. You’ll promote preventative care and health screenings, and collaborate with healthcare providers to improve community outreach.

Salary Range: Salaries typically range from $41,645 (entry-level) to $59,100 (top earners), with a median salary of $45,750.
Demand & Postings: Demand is medium, with around 174 active postings, and the field is growing at 3.5%.
Top Skills: Communication, customer service, relationship building, Microsoft Excel, and leadership. Social Work skills can boost your salary.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (28%), Community Health Worker Certification (14%), and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Your Health, Medical University of South Carolina, Reema Health, UVA Health System, The Carolinas Center For Medical Excellence.
Career Advancement: You could advance to a Health Educator (General) (+$11,502), Patient Advocate/Navigator (+$26,113), or Care Coordinator (+$8,775).

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