Engineering Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median civil engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$80,946
vs State Avg
+$899
vs National
$-8,994
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median civil engineer salary of $80,946, which is $899 above the South Carolina state average of $80,047. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 civil engineers in Columbia spans from $54,360 at the 10th percentile to $124,740 at the 90th percentile — a $70,380 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,000. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,000
$-9,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,000
$-13,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $54,360
25th Percentile $65,880
Median (50th) $80,946
75th Percentile $102,600
90th Percentile $124,740

Civil Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$94,437
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$89,940
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$85,443
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$82,745
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil 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 Civil Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open civil engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $54,360 (10th percentile) to $124,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,946, a civil engineer in Columbia earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median civil engineer salary of $80,946 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $80,047. 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 civil engineer salary of $80,946 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.