Columbia, SC
Metropolitan Area · 2024 BLS OEWS data · South Carolina statewide data
$51,340
Median Annual Wage
+31% since 2014
$51,550
South Carolina Median
+-0% vs state
361,480
Total Workers
511
Occupations Tracked
Columbia, SC is a Metropolitan Area with 511 tracked occupations and an estimated 361,480 total workers. Wages grew an average of 36.7% from 2014 to 2024, with Management Occupations and Computer and Mathematical Occupations offering the highest median salaries.
Wages by Occupation Group
Top Occupations
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | $219,170 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $217,580 |
| Dentists, General | $198,310 |
| Chief Executives | $185,390 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $147,060 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $137,880 |
| Optometrists | $137,250 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $135,590 |
| Pharmacists | $134,730 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,600 |
Job Market Trends
2014 → 2024
+36.7%
avg wage growth since 2014
+5.8%
employment change since 2014
Fastest Wage Growth
| Chefs and Head Cooks Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations |
+144.3%
$24,230 → $59,190
|
| Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations |
+133.3%
$18,180 → $42,410
|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers Management Occupations |
+125.4%
$60,150 → $135,590
|
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other Production Occupations |
+117.9%
$22,630 → $49,300
|
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
+103.3%
$18,550 → $37,710
|
Most Jobs Added
| Parking Attendants Transportation and Material Moving Occupations |
+900.0%
50 → 530
|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
+600.0%
130 → 920
|
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
+600.0%
60 → 430
|
| Fundraisers Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
+300.0%
70 → 280
|
| Photographers Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations |
+300.0%
30 → 130
|
Wage Declines
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Production Occupations |
-28.8%
$53,230 → $37,920
|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers Protective Service Occupations |
-20.3%
$41,690 → $33,210
|
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Production Occupations |
-19.1%
$61,160 → $49,450
|
| Physical Therapist Assistants Healthcare Support Occupations |
-18.9%
$80,700 → $65,440
|
| Compensation and Benefits Managers Management Occupations |
-16.0%
$82,280 → $69,080
|
Wage Trends in Columbia, SC
View data table
| Year | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 2024 latest | $51,340 |
| 2023 | $48,150 |
| 2022 | $46,025 |
| 2021 | $46,745 |
| 2020 | $44,960 |
| 2019 | $43,940 |
| 2018 | $42,190 |
| 2017 | $42,200 |
| 2016 | $40,905 |
| 2015 | $39,840 |
| 2014 | $39,320 |