Civil Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Civil Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $94,520 a year ($45.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,430 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 7% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $101,600. There are 2.7 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| 25th percentile | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Median | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 75th percentile | $124,730 | $59.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,430 | $70.88 |
| Average (mean) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,938.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,635.38 |
| Weekly | $1,817.69 |
| Hourly | $45.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $103,010 | 2,000 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $102,830 | 1,170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,370 | 3,730 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,740 | 1,310 |
| Florence, SC | $94,630 | 140 |
| Sumter, SC | $94,110 | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $90,150 | 120 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $83,420 | 50 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $79,400 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $114,560 | $55.08 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $128,340 | $61.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,830 | $62.42 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,290 | $58.31 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $45,370 | $21.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $94,520 a year, or $45.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $147,430 a year. The top 25% earn $124,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,490 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,850 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,070 civil engineers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.