ocity
💰 COL Index: 91 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Columbus, NE

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 27 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$55,382
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$61,196
model average ÷ 90.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$123,633
City 1BR Rent Reference
$859
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Columbus?

$55,382 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 27 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$55,382/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,615/month
Household income context$67,212

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 27-Role Set

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

🥇 -3% vs national

Software Developer

$123,633
💡 Purchasing-power model $136,611
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.44/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -3% vs national

Accountant

$83,626
💡 Purchasing-power model $92,404
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $40.20/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -3% vs national

Registered Nurse

$83,617
💡 Purchasing-power model $92,394
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $40.20/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -3% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$61,855
💡 Purchasing-power model $68,348
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.74/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -3% vs national

Electrician

$59,795
💡 Purchasing-power model $66,072
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $28.75/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 27 Occupations in Columbus

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (90.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 27 occupations.

#
1 Software Developer $123,633
2 Accountant $83,626
3 Registered Nurse $83,617
4 Elementary School Teacher $61,855
5 Electrician $59,795
6 Real Estate Agent $59,727
7 Heavy Truck Driver $51,576
8 Paralegal $48,575
9 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,575
10 Welder $48,575
11 Dental Hygienist $48,575
12 Police Officer $48,575
13 Project Manager $48,575
14 Graphic Designer $48,575
15 Data Analyst $48,575
16 Plumber $48,575
17 Construction Manager $48,575
18 Physical Therapist $48,575
19 Human Resources Specialist $48,575
20 Carpenter $48,575
21 Financial Analyst $48,575
22 Pharmacist $48,575
23 HVAC Technician $48,575
24 Web Developer $48,575
25 Firefighter $48,575
26 Marketing Manager $48,575
27 Medical Assistant $48,575

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 0.308×–1.358× 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 ÷ 90.5 × 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
$859/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,073/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$260,871
📉
Unemployment
2.4%
💳
Median Income
$67,212
🎓
College Educated
23%
🚶
Walk Score
30/100
📊
Cost of Living
91
Below Avg Cost
📊 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?

▼
$55,382 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 27 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 $4,615 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 0.308×–1.358× 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