Computer Programmers Salary in Columbia, SC
Computer Programmers in Columbia, SC make a median of $122,030 a year, or about $58.67 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.66), which stretches that salary to about $130,290 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,276/month, or 17.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $122K get you in Columbia?
About computer programmers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, SC
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $122K.Top earners bring in $141K or more - a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $159K | +61% | 3,220 |
| Montana | $129K | +30% | 450 |
| Oregon | $127K | +29% | 1,180 |
| California | $116K | +18% | 14,720 |
| Massachusetts | $115K | +17% | 3,040 |
| Virginia | $112K | +13% | 4,210 |
| Wisconsin | $110K | +11% | 3,020 |
| Minnesota | $108K | +10% | 1,960 |
| Hawaii | $108K | +9% | N/A |
| Wyoming | $105K | +7% | 60 |
| Kentucky | $105K | +6% | 1,640 |
| Maine | $103K | +4% | 420 |
| Maryland | $103K | +4% | 2,360 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +4% | 4,000 |
| Oklahoma | $101K | +2% | 1,420 |
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
How much do computer programmers make in Columbia, SC?
The median is $122,030 a year - that works out to about $58.67 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,290, and experienced computer programmers can clear $141,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $122K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,332/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,276/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 17.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 93.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer programmers salary is worth about $130,290 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.