Legal Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Compliance Officer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median compliance officer salary in Columbia, SC is $67,554 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$67,554
vs State Avg
+$751
vs National
$-7,506
Cost of Living
90%

Compliance Officer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median compliance officer salary of $67,554, which is $751 above the South Carolina state average of $66,803. Compared to the national median of $75,060, 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 compliance officers in Columbia spans from $38,700 at the 10th percentile to $117,900 at the 90th percentile — a $79,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $43,200, while senior compliance officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $112,500. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Compliance Officer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level compliance officer earns around $43,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,200
$-4,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,200
$-7,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,500
$-12,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $38,700
25th Percentile $50,400
Median (50th) $67,554
75th Percentile $91,800
90th Percentile $117,900

Compliance Officer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$78,813
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$75,060
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$71,307
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$69,055
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Compliance Officer in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

Regulatory KnowledgeRisk AssessmentAuditingPolicy DevelopmentEthicsCommunication

Job Outlook

Nationally, compliance officer 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 Compliance Officer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open compliance officer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Compliance Officer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Compliance Officer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median compliance officer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $67,554 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $75,060. Salaries range from $38,700 (10th percentile) to $117,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Compliance Officer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $67,554, a compliance officer in Columbia earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for compliance officer pay? ▼
Columbia's median compliance officer salary of $67,554 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $66,803. 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 compliance officer salary of $67,554 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a compliance officer in Columbia? ▼
Most compliance officer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Regulatory Knowledge, Risk Assessment, Auditing, Policy Development. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.