Computer Programmers Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $122,030 +23.7% vs national
Median hourly $58.67
10th percentile $65,290
90th percentile $141,490
Employed locally 180
National median $98,670

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Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Computer Programmers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,290
    25th
    $89,670
    50th (median)
    $122,030
    75th
    $130,440
    90th
    $141,490

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Computer Programmers salary vs area income 184% Median Computer Programmers salary is 84% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Computer Programmers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $167,970
    Boulder, CO $162,530
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $159,250
    Washington $158,820
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $136,880
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $133,560

    Nearby metros — Computer Programmers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $122,000
    Wisconsin $109,580
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $102,560
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $100,920
    Tuscaloosa, AL $94,080
    Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC $91,180

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Software Developers $103,400
    Computer Systems Analysts $87,880
    Computer User Support Specialists $55,050
    Computer Occupations, All Other $88,770
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators $86,600
    Data Scientists $90,780

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Computer Programmers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Computer Programmers in Columbia, SC is $58.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.62 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Computer Programmers salaries?

    The median Computer Programmers salary in Columbia, SC is 23.7% above the national median of $98,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Computer Programmers in Columbia?

    Entry-level Computer Programmers (10th percentile) earn around $65,290 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,670.