Environmental Engineers Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $80,380 -22.8% vs national
Median hourly $38.65
10th percentile $42,940
90th percentile $136,660
Employed locally 90
National median $104,170

Compare Environmental Engineers salary & buying power

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Environmental Engineers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,940
    25th
    $64,630
    50th (median)
    $80,380
    75th
    $130,980
    90th
    $136,660

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Engineers salary vs area income 122% Median Environmental Engineers salary is 22% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $140,760
    Bend, OR $140,590
    Midland, TX $139,230
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $138,700
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $138,090

    Nearby metros — Environmental Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $131,810
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $95,880
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $95,850
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $95,000
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $94,740

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $96,070
    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

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Environmental Engineers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Engineers in Columbia, SC is $38.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.86 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Environmental Engineers salaries?

    The median Environmental Engineers salary in Columbia, SC is 22.8% below the national median of $104,170. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Environmental Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $42,940 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,630.