Electrical Engineer Salary in Columbia, SC
Electrical Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $101,320 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,187 take-home, or $6,266 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrical engineer salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,460
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,282
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,469
- South Carolina income tax$4,922
- Take-home pay$75,187
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Electrical Engineer pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,260 | $33.30 | $54,556 | $4,546 |
| 25th percentile | $77,520 | $37.27 | $59,871 | $4,989 |
| Median (50th) | $101,320 | $48.71 | $75,187 | $6,266 |
| 75th percentile | $133,490 | $64.18 | $95,654 | $7,971 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,870 | $74.46 | $108,985 | $9,082 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,320 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 electrical engineer's $75,187 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,274 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Electrical Engineer jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for electrical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #62 of 79 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $163,720 | $116,477 | $121,907 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $159,360 | $120,189 | $113,754 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $145,360 | $110,620 | $112,801 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $187,060 | $123,681 | $112,007 |
| 5 | Chattanooga, TN | $123,840 | $95,911 | $104,862 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $131,070 | $100,852 | $102,254 |
| 7 | Huntsville, AL | $130,330 | $94,095 | $101,099 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $128,190 | $98,884 | $98,806 |
| 62 | Columbia, SC | $101,320 | $75,187 | $80,274 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 79 metros →
Electrical Engineer salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $101,620
- Charleston, SC — $110,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Columbia, SC?
The median electrical engineer salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $101,320 a year, or about $48.71 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,520 and $133,490.
What is a electrical engineer’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $101,320 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $75,187 a year ($6,266 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,922 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $120,630. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,274 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #62 of 79 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrical 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) — 18% of a median electrical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Mechanical Engineer — $102,280
- Industrial Engineer — $98,780
- Civil Engineer — $94,520