Computer Programmer salary in Columbia, SC
Computer Programmers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $98,490 a year ($47.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,330 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $99,740. There are 0.48 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,940, close to the median.
Pay range for computer programmers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 25th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Median | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| 75th percentile | $130,770 | $62.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,330 | $63.62 |
| Average (mean) | $97,940 | $47.09 |
Half of computer programmers 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 | $8,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,103.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,788.08 |
| Weekly | $1,894.04 |
| Hourly | $47.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $107,770 | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $99,520 | 130 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $91,180 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $84,720 | 670 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,760 | $43.64 |
| Software Developer | $123,380 | $59.32 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,330 | $48.71 |
| Computer Network Architect | $125,510 | $60.34 |
| Database Administrator | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Database Architect | $135,790 | $65.28 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Data Scientist | $88,260 | $42.43 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $79,560 | $38.25 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. 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 computer programmer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $98,490 a year, or $47.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $132,330 a year. The top 25% earn $130,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,130 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $73,990 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Columbia, SC?
About 190 computer programmers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.