Civil Engineers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $96,070 -3.5% vs national
Median hourly $46.19
10th percentile $64,340
90th percentile $151,990
Employed locally 1,340
National median $99,590

Compare Civil Engineers salary & buying power

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Civil Engineers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,340
    25th
    $75,780
    50th (median)
    $96,070
    75th
    $126,670
    90th
    $151,990

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Civil Engineers salary vs area income 145% Median Civil Engineers salary is 45% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Civil Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,310
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,260
    Redding, CA $127,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,560
    Napa, CA $122,820
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $121,170

    Nearby metros — Civil Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,560
    Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $103,120
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $102,380
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $101,430
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $100,040
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $99,680

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $93,720
    Mechanical Engineers $97,580
    Electrical Engineers $101,350
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $61,340
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $62,930
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $58,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Civil Engineers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Civil Engineers in Columbia, SC is $46.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.88 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Civil Engineers salaries?

    The median Civil Engineers salary in Columbia, SC is 3.5% below the national median of $99,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Civil Engineers in Columbia?

    Entry-level Civil Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $64,340 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,780.