Engineering Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median aerospace engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $114,192 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$114,192
vs State Avg
+$1,269
vs National
$-12,688
Cost of Living
90%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $114,192, which is $1,269 above the South Carolina state average of $112,923. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Columbia spans from $70,200 at the 10th percentile to $172,800 at the 90th percentile — a $102,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,000, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $166,500. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $72,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $166,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,000
$-8,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,200
$-12,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$166,500
$-18,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $70,200
25th Percentile $90,000
Median (50th) $114,192
75th Percentile $144,000
90th Percentile $172,800

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$133,224
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$126,880
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$120,536
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$116,730
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Columbia

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $114,192 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $70,200 (10th percentile) to $172,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $114,192, a aerospace engineer in Columbia earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median aerospace engineer salary of $114,192 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $112,923. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $114,192 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.