Healthcare Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median emergency medicine physician salary in Columbia, SC is $279,000 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$279,000
vs State Avg
+$3,100
vs National
$-31,000
Cost of Living
90%

Emergency Medicine Physician Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median emergency medicine physician salary of $279,000, which is $3,100 above the South Carolina state average of $275,900. Compared to the national median of $310,000, 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 emergency medicine physicians in Columbia spans from $162,000 at the 10th percentile to $427,500 at the 90th percentile — a $265,500 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $166,500, while senior emergency medicine physicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $414,000. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level emergency medicine physician earns around $166,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $414,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$166,500
$-18,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$283,500
$-31,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$414,000
$-46,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $162,000
25th Percentile $216,000
Median (50th) $279,000
75th Percentile $360,000
90th Percentile $427,500

Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$325,500
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$310,000
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$294,500
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$285,200
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Emergency Medicine Physician in Columbia

Education

Most emergency medicine physician positions require a doctoral degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Emergency MedicineTrauma CareTriageCritical CareProceduresDecision Making

Job Outlook

Nationally, emergency medicine physician employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Emergency Medicine Physician Jobs in Columbia

Browse open emergency medicine physician positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Columbia

How much does a Emergency Medicine Physician make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median emergency medicine physician salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $279,000 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $310,000. Salaries range from $162,000 (10th percentile) to $427,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Emergency Medicine Physician make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $279,000, a emergency medicine physician in Columbia earns approximately $134 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for emergency medicine physician pay? ▼
Columbia's median emergency medicine physician salary of $279,000 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $275,900. 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 emergency medicine physician salary of $279,000 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a emergency medicine physician in Columbia? ▼
Most emergency medicine physician positions in Columbia require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Emergency Medicine, Trauma Care, Triage, Critical Care. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.