Accountant and Auditor Salary in Columbia, SC
Accountants and Auditors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $69,210 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,524 take-home, or $4,544 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median accountant and auditor salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,396
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,291
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,004
- South Carolina income tax$2,995
- Take-home pay$54,524
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Accountant and Auditor pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,530 | $23.33 | $39,419 | $3,285 |
| 25th percentile | $58,320 | $28.04 | $46,698 | $3,892 |
| Median (50th) | $69,210 | $33.27 | $54,524 | $4,544 |
| 75th percentile | $84,300 | $40.53 | $64,234 | $5,353 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,040 | $52.42 | $80,154 | $6,680 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,210 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 accountant and auditor's $54,524 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,213 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Accountant and Auditor jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for accountants and auditors, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #87 of 90 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $121,700 | $85,775 | $77,679 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | $70,994 | $72,928 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $80,920 | $65,757 | $72,555 |
| 4 | Trenton, NJ | $99,550 | $74,712 | $72,409 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $99,990 | $75,482 | $71,749 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $102,020 | $76,565 | $71,647 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $95,020 | $72,730 | $71,463 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $100,020 | $75,502 | $71,375 |
| 87 | Columbia, SC | $69,210 | $54,524 | $58,213 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
About the job: accountants and auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Accountant and Auditor salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $76,870
- Charleston, SC — $79,350
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountant and auditor make in Columbia, SC?
The median accountant and auditor salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $69,210 a year, or about $33.27 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,320 and $84,300.
What is a accountant and auditor’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $69,210 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $54,524 a year ($4,544 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,995 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a accountant and auditor?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $83,680. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,213 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #87 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a accountant and auditor 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) — 25% of a median accountant and auditor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
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- Project Management Specialist — $85,260