Technology Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Database Administrator Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median database administrator salary in Columbia, SC is $88,880 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$88,880
vs State Avg
+$1,010
vs National
$-12,120
Cost of Living
90%

Database Administrator Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median database administrator salary of $88,880, which is $1,010 above the South Carolina state average of $87,870. Compared to the national median of $101,000, 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 database administrators in Columbia spans from $51,216 at the 10th percentile to $139,929 at the 90th percentile — a $88,713 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior database administrators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $127,600. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Database Administrator Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level database administrator earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $127,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$88,000
$-12,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$127,600
$-17,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $51,216
25th Percentile $68,112
Median (50th) $88,880
75th Percentile $113,168
90th Percentile $139,929

Database Administrator Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$104,030
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$98,980
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$93,930
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$90,900
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Database Administrator in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

SQLOraclePostgreSQLMySQLPerformance TuningBackup/Recovery

Job Outlook

Nationally, database administrator 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 Database Administrator Jobs in Columbia

Browse open database administrator positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Database Administrator Salary in Columbia

How much does a Database Administrator make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median database administrator salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $88,880 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $101,000. Salaries range from $51,216 (10th percentile) to $139,929 (90th percentile).
How much does a Database Administrator make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $88,880, a database administrator in Columbia earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for database administrator pay? ▼
Columbia's median database administrator salary of $88,880 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $87,870. 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 database administrator salary of $88,880 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a database administrator in Columbia? ▼
Most database administrator positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.