Top Paying Jobs in Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 47,460 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Physicians, All Other ($374,300), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($296,020), Anesthesiologists ($290,620). The cost of living index is 93.66 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,276/month.
$119K
Avg. median salary
93.66
Cost of living index
$1,276
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Columbia
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $156K | $75.17/hr |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Management | $142K | $68.06/hr |
| 13 | Marketing Managers | Management | $137K | $65.83/hr |
| 14 | Database Architects | Technology | $136K | $65.28/hr |
| 15 | Pharmacists | Healthcare | $134K | $64.35/hr |
| 16 | Actuaries | Technology | $133K | $63.97/hr |
| 17 | Psychologists, All Other | Science | $131K | $62.78/hr |
| 18 | Managers, All Other | Management | $130K | $62.48/hr |
| 19 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $130K | $62.48/hr |
| 20 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $130K | $62.42/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Columbia
Cost of living vs. national average-6.3% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,276/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Compare Columbia to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
Remote work salary calculator
See what your salary is worth in Columbia
Calculate take-home pay in Columbia
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Columbia?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Columbia?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data