ocity
💰 COL Index: 93 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Columbia, SC

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$67,631
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$72,800
model average ÷ 92.9 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$154,262
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,110
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Columbia?

$67,631 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$67,631/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,636/month
Household income context$52,943

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$154,262
💡 Purchasing-power model $166,052
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.16/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,132
💡 Purchasing-power model $143,307
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.01/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,549
💡 Purchasing-power model $134,068
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.88/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,905
💡 Purchasing-power model $113,999
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.92/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,122
💡 Purchasing-power model $106,698
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.65/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Columbia

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (92.9/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $154,262
2 Pharmacist $133,132
3 Software Developer $124,549
4 Construction Manager $105,905
5 Project Manager $99,122
6 Physical Therapist $97,586
7 Financial Analyst $96,901
8 Web Developer $90,774
9 Dental Hygienist $85,665
10 Accountant $84,246
11 Registered Nurse $84,236
12 Data Analyst $81,584
13 Police Officer $73,314
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,209
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,313
16 Plumber $62,000
17 Paralegal $61,413
18 Electrician $60,238
19 Real Estate Agent $60,170
20 Graphic Designer $60,033
21 Firefighter $55,903
22 Carpenter $55,707
23 HVAC Technician $54,484
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,959
25 Loan Officer $48,934
26 Insurance Agent $48,934
27 Nail Technician $48,934
28 Cosmetologist $48,934
29 Personal Trainer $48,934
30 Chef/Head Cook $48,934
31 Auto Mechanic $48,934
32 Social Worker $48,934
33 Veterinary Technician $48,934
34 Pharmacy Technician $48,934
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,934
36 Dental Assistant $48,934
37 Welder $48,533
38 Medical Assistant $37,454
39 Security Guard $35,370
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,998

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Columbia salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.612×–1.467× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 92.9 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Columbia

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,110/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,246/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$269,100
📉
Unemployment
3.2%
💳
Median Income
$52,943
🎓
College Educated
47%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
93
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Columbia Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Columbia Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Columbia mean on this page?

▼
$67,631 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Columbia workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Columbia?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,636 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Columbia?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Columbia?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.612×–1.467× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Columbia

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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Explore Columbia Further

🏙️ Columbia City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage