ocity
💰 COL Index: 89 — Very Affordable

Salaries in Columbus, GA

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
$66,781
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$75,204
model average ÷ 88.8 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$152,323
City 1BR Rent Reference
$881
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Columbus?

$66,781 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$66,781/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,565/month
Household income context$51,835

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.

🥇 -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$152,323
💡 Purchasing-power model $171,535
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $73.23/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$131,459
💡 Purchasing-power model $148,039
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.20/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -3% vs national

Software Developer

$122,984
💡 Purchasing-power model $138,495
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.13/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$104,574
💡 Purchasing-power model $117,764
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.28/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$97,876
💡 Purchasing-power model $110,221
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.06/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Columbus

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (88.8/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $152,323
2 Pharmacist $131,459
3 Software Developer $122,984
4 Construction Manager $104,574
5 Project Manager $97,876
6 Physical Therapist $96,359
7 Financial Analyst $95,683
8 Web Developer $89,633
9 Dental Hygienist $84,588
10 Accountant $83,187
11 Registered Nurse $83,178
12 Data Analyst $80,559
13 Police Officer $72,393
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,376
15 Elementary School Teacher $61,530
16 Plumber $61,221
17 Paralegal $60,641
18 Electrician $59,481
19 Real Estate Agent $59,414
20 Graphic Designer $59,278
21 Firefighter $55,200
22 Carpenter $55,007
23 HVAC Technician $53,799
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,306
25 Insurance Agent $48,319
26 Nail Technician $48,319
27 Personal Trainer $48,319
28 Chef/Head Cook $48,319
29 Auto Mechanic $48,319
30 Social Worker $48,319
31 Cosmetologist $48,319
32 Veterinary Technician $48,319
33 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,319
34 Pharmacy Technician $48,319
35 Dental Assistant $48,319
36 Loan Officer $48,319
37 Welder $47,923
38 Medical Assistant $36,984
39 Security Guard $34,925
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,558

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

Columbus 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 0.604×–1.449× 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 ÷ 88.8 × 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 Columbus

🏠
1BR Rent
$881/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,031/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$198,200
📉
Unemployment
3.4%
💳
Median Income
$51,835
🎓
College Educated
28%
🚶
Walk Score
55/100
📊
Cost of Living
89
Very Affordable
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Columbus 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

❓ Columbus Salary FAQ

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

▼
$66,781 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Columbus workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Columbus?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,565 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Columbus?

▼
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 Columbus?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.604×–1.449× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Columbus

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