Technology Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Network Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median network engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $80,960 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$80,960
vs State Avg
+$920
vs National
$-11,040
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median network engineer salary of $80,960, which is $920 above the South Carolina state average of $80,040. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 network engineers in Columbia spans from $49,280 at the 10th percentile to $127,600 at the 90th percentile — a $78,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,800, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $121,440. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level network engineer earns around $52,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $121,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,800
$-7,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,720
$-11,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$121,440
$-16,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $49,280
25th Percentile $65,120
Median (50th) $80,960
75th Percentile $103,840
90th Percentile $127,600

Network Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$94,760
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$90,160
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$85,560
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$82,800
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Network Engineer in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network 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 Network Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open network engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Network Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $80,960 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $49,280 (10th percentile) to $127,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,960, a network engineer in Columbia earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median network engineer salary of $80,960 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $80,040. 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 network engineer salary of $80,960 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.