Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia, SC
Civil Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $94,520 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $70,811 take-home, or $5,901 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,964
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,860
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,371
- South Carolina income tax$4,514
- Take-home pay$70,811
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,490 | $31.97 | $52,772 | $4,398 |
| 25th percentile | $76,850 | $36.95 | $59,440 | $4,953 |
| Median (50th) | $94,520 | $45.44 | $70,811 | $5,901 |
| 75th percentile | $124,730 | $59.97 | $90,192 | $7,516 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,430 | $70.88 | $104,346 | $8,695 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $94,520 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 civil engineer's $70,811 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,602 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #72 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 72 | Columbia, SC | $94,520 | $70,811 | $75,602 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $102,830
- Charleston, SC — $98,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Columbia, SC?
The median civil engineer salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $94,520 a year, or about $45.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,850 and $124,730.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $94,520 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $70,811 a year ($5,901 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,514 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,602 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #72 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer 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) — 19% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Mechanical Engineer — $102,280
- Electrical Engineer — $101,320
- Industrial Engineer — $98,780