Business & Finance Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Project Manager Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median project manager salary in Columbia, SC is $85,833 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$85,833
vs State Avg
+$954
vs National
$-9,537
Cost of Living
90%

Project Manager Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median project manager salary of $85,833, which is $954 above the South Carolina state average of $84,879. Compared to the national median of $95,370, 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 project managers in Columbia spans from $50,580 at the 10th percentile to $143,190 at the 90th percentile — a $92,610 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,200, while senior project managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $130,500. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Project Manager Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level project manager earns around $52,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $130,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,200
$-5,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,400
$-9,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$130,500
$-14,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $50,580
25th Percentile $65,700
Median (50th) $85,833
75th Percentile $113,400
90th Percentile $143,190

Project Manager Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$100,139
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$95,370
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$90,602
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$87,740
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Project Manager in Columbia

Education

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

Key Skills

Agile/ScrumRisk ManagementBudgetingStakeholder CommunicationJIRA/AsanaPMP Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, project manager employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Project Manager Jobs in Columbia

Browse open project manager positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Project Manager Salary in Columbia

How much does a Project Manager make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median project manager salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $85,833 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $95,370. Salaries range from $50,580 (10th percentile) to $143,190 (90th percentile).
How much does a Project Manager make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,833, a project manager in Columbia earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for project manager pay? ▼
Columbia's median project manager salary of $85,833 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $84,879. 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 project manager salary of $85,833 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a project manager in Columbia? ▼
Most project manager positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agile/Scrum, Risk Management, Budgeting, Stakeholder Communication. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.