Environmental Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Environmental Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $96,140 a year ($46.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $107,110. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $96,140. There are 0.33 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| 25th percentile | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Median | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| 75th percentile | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Average (mean) | $102,450 | $49.26 |
Half of environmental 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 | $8,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,005.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,697.69 |
| Weekly | $1,848.85 |
| Hourly | $46.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $118,320 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $93,930 | 70 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $86,670 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,840 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
See Environmental Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 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 |
| 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 17-2081. 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 environmental engineer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for environmental engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $96,140 a year, or $46.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $136,990 a year. The top 25% earn $96,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,770 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $96,140 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Columbia, SC?
About 130 environmental engineers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.