Project Management Specialist salary in Columbia, SC
Project Management Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $85,260 a year ($40.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,460 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $102,320. Pay here is 10% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $95,040. There are 6.2 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| 25th percentile | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| Median | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| 75th percentile | $117,890 | $56.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,460 | $70.90 |
| Average (mean) | $94,620 | $45.49 |
Half of project management specialists 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 | $7,105 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,552.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,279.23 |
| Weekly | $1,639.62 |
| Hourly | $40.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Project Management Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $105,200 | 11,570 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $101,280 | 1,460 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $96,810 | 820 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $94,780 | 3,600 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $94,730 | 3,510 |
| Sumter, SC | $87,730 | 170 |
| Florence, SC | $87,400 | 370 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $79,990 | 550 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $77,410 | 660 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
See Project Management Specialist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Cost Estimator | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Logistician | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Fundraiser | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $71,620 | $34.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1082. 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 project management specialist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for project management specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $85,260 a year, or $40.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of project management specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $147,460 a year. The top 25% earn $117,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,250 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $65,660 or less.
How many project management specialists work in Columbia, SC?
About 2,430 project management specialists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.