Technology Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Data Scientist Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median data scientist salary in Columbia, SC is $95,058 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.2% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$95,058
vs State Avg
+$1,081
vs National
$-12,962
Cost of Living
90%

Data Scientist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median data scientist salary of $95,058, which is $1,081 above the South Carolina state average of $93,977. Compared to the national median of $108,020, 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 data scientists in Columbia spans from $54,032 at the 10th percentile to $156,816 at the 90th percentile — a $102,784 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,360, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,200. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level data scientist earns around $63,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$98,560
$-13,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,200
$-19,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $54,032
25th Percentile $74,096
Median (50th) $95,058
75th Percentile $124,080
90th Percentile $156,816

Data Scientist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$111,261
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$105,860
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$100,459
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$97,218
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Data Scientist in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open data scientist positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Data Scientist make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $95,058 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $54,032 (10th percentile) to $156,816 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,058, a data scientist in Columbia earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Columbia's median data scientist salary of $95,058 is 1.2% above the South Carolina state average of $93,977. 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 data scientist salary of $95,058 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Columbia? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.