Science & Research Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Biomedical Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median biomedical engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $90,657 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$90,657
vs State Avg
+$1,007
vs National
$-10,073
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median biomedical engineer salary of $90,657, which is $1,007 above the South Carolina state average of $89,650. Compared to the national median of $100,730, 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 biomedical engineers in Columbia spans from $55,800 at the 10th percentile to $140,400 at the 90th percentile — a $84,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,500, while senior biomedical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,200. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Biomedical Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level biomedical engineer earns around $58,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,500
$-6,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$91,800
$-10,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,200
$-14,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $55,800
25th Percentile $71,100
Median (50th) $90,657
75th Percentile $113,400
90th Percentile $140,400

Biomedical Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$105,767
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$100,730
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$95,694
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$92,672
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Biomedical Engineer in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

Medical DevicesCAD/CAMFDA RegulationsBiomechanicsMATLABClinical Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, biomedical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Biomedical Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open biomedical engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Biomedical Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Biomedical Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median biomedical engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $90,657 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $100,730. Salaries range from $55,800 (10th percentile) to $140,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Biomedical Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $90,657, a biomedical engineer in Columbia earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for biomedical engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median biomedical engineer salary of $90,657 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $89,650. 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 biomedical engineer salary of $90,657 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a biomedical engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most biomedical engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Medical Devices, CAD/CAM, FDA Regulations, Biomechanics. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.