Creative & Education Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Instructional Designer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median instructional designer salary in Columbia, SC is $64,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$64,800
vs State Avg
+$720
vs National
$-7,200
Cost of Living
90%

Instructional Designer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median instructional designer salary of $64,800, which is $720 above the South Carolina state average of $64,080. Compared to the national median of $72,000, 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 instructional designers in Columbia spans from $39,600 at the 10th percentile to $106,200 at the 90th percentile — a $66,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,400, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $100,800. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $41,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $100,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,400
$-4,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,600
$-7,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$100,800
$-11,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $39,600
25th Percentile $50,400
Median (50th) $64,800
75th Percentile $85,500
90th Percentile $106,200

Instructional Designer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$75,600
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$72,000
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$68,400
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$66,240
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Columbia

Education

Most instructional designer positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Instructional DesignArticulate/CaptivateLMSADDIE ModelE-LearningAssessment Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, instructional designer 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 Instructional Designer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open instructional designer positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $64,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $39,600 (10th percentile) to $106,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $64,800, a instructional designer in Columbia earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Columbia's median instructional designer salary of $64,800 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $64,080. 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 instructional designer salary of $64,800 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Columbia? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Columbia require a master's degree. Key skills include Instructional Design, Articulate/Captivate, LMS, ADDIE Model. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.