Construction & Real Estate Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Construction Manager Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median construction manager salary in Columbia, SC is $91,332 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$91,332
vs State Avg
+$1,015
vs National
$-10,148
Cost of Living
90%

Construction Manager Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median construction manager salary of $91,332, which is $1,015 above the South Carolina state average of $90,317. Compared to the national median of $101,480, 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 construction managers in Columbia spans from $54,000 at the 10th percentile to $157,500 at the 90th percentile — a $103,500 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior construction managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $148,500. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Construction Manager Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level construction manager earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $148,500 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)
$92,700
$-10,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$148,500
$-16,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $54,000
25th Percentile $70,200
Median (50th) $91,332
75th Percentile $121,500
90th Percentile $157,500

Construction Manager Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$106,554
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$101,480
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$96,406
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$93,362
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Construction Manager in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

Project ManagementBudgetingBlueprint ReadingBuilding CodesSchedulingContract Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, construction manager employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Construction Manager Jobs in Columbia

Browse open construction manager positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Construction Manager Salary in Columbia

How much does a Construction Manager make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median construction manager salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $91,332 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $101,480. Salaries range from $54,000 (10th percentile) to $157,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Construction Manager make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,332, a construction manager 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 construction manager pay? ▼
Columbia's median construction manager salary of $91,332 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $90,317. 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 construction manager salary of $91,332 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a construction manager in Columbia? ▼
Most construction manager positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Project Management, Budgeting, Blueprint Reading, Building Codes. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.