Firefighter Salary in Columbia, SC
Firefighters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $36,960 a year — 38% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,817 take-home, or $2,568 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,255
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,292
- Medicare (1.45%)$536
- South Carolina income tax$1,061
- Take-home pay$30,817
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,460 | $14.16 | $25,241 | $2,103 |
| 25th percentile | $34,740 | $16.70 | $29,166 | $2,431 |
| Median (50th) | $36,960 | $17.77 | $30,817 | $2,568 |
| 75th percentile | $46,140 | $22.18 | $37,642 | $3,137 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,240 | $23.67 | $39,947 | $3,329 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,960 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 firefighter's $30,817 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,902 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, SC has 1.2× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #125 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 125 | Columbia, SC | $36,960 | $30,817 | $32,902 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Hilton Head Island, SC — $50,210
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $45,890
- Charleston, SC — $46,830
- Greenville, SC — $39,980
- Spartanburg, SC — $36,360
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Columbia, SC?
The median firefighter salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $36,960 a year, or about $17.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,740 and $46,140.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $36,960 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $30,817 a year ($2,568 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,061 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 38% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,902 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #125 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter 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) — 44% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $66,340
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,260
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $44,860
- Security Guard — $35,140