Engineering Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Electrical Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median electrical engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $94,149 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$94,149
vs State Avg
+$1,046
vs National
$-10,461
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median electrical engineer salary of $94,149, which is $1,046 above the South Carolina state average of $93,103. Compared to the national median of $104,610, 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 electrical engineers in Columbia spans from $59,400 at the 10th percentile to $145,800 at the 90th percentile — a $86,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,200, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,500. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $61,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,200
$-6,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$95,400
$-10,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,500
$-15,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $59,400
25th Percentile $74,700
Median (50th) $94,149
75th Percentile $118,800
90th Percentile $145,800

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$109,841
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$104,610
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$99,380
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$96,241
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical 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 Electrical Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $94,149 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $59,400 (10th percentile) to $145,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $94,149, a electrical engineer in Columbia earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median electrical engineer salary of $94,149 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $93,103. 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 electrical engineer salary of $94,149 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.