Project Management Specialist Salary in Columbia, SC
Project Management Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $85,260 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,852 take-home, or $5,404 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,927
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,286
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,236
- South Carolina income tax$3,958
- Take-home pay$64,852
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,250 | $26.08 | $43,672 | $3,639 |
| 25th percentile | $65,660 | $31.57 | $52,155 | $4,346 |
| Median (50th) | $85,260 | $40.99 | $64,852 | $5,404 |
| 75th percentile | $117,890 | $56.68 | $85,849 | $7,154 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,460 | $70.89 | $104,364 | $8,697 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $85,260 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median project management specialist's $64,852 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,240 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Project Management Specialist jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #58 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $135,120 | $93,527 | $84,699 |
| 4 | Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | $76,797 | $83,747 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $127,030 | $90,262 | $82,897 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $111,740 | $83,231 | $82,647 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $102,390 | $80,861 | $82,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $101,050 | $76,107 | $82,239 |
| 58 | Columbia, SC | $85,260 | $64,852 | $69,240 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
About the job: project management specialists
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $94,780
- Charleston, SC — $94,730
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Columbia, SC?
The median project management specialist salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $85,260 a year, or about $40.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,660 and $117,890.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $85,260 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $64,852 a year ($5,404 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,958 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,240 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #58 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Management Analyst — $93,250
- Accountant and Auditor — $69,210