Surveyor salary in Columbia, SC
Surveyors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $66,580 a year ($32.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,240 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $63,300. There are 0.42 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| 25th percentile | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| Median | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| 75th percentile | $89,870 | $43.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Average (mean) | $71,390 | $34.32 |
Half of surveyors 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 | $5,548.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,774.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,560.77 |
| Weekly | $1,280.38 |
| Hourly | $32.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,710 | 450 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,510 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $65,000 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,680 | 220 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $59,740 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $58,250 | 170 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $54,240 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for surveyors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 |
| Alaska | $99,550 |
| Oregon | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 |
| Washington | $85,610 |
| Montana | $84,610 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 |
| Maine | $83,200 |
| Delaware | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $82,460 |
See Surveyor pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| 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 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| 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 |
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 17-1022. 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 surveyor make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for surveyors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $66,580 a year, or $32.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $98,240 a year. The top 25% earn $89,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,010 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $51,340 or less.
How many surveyors work in Columbia, SC?
About 170 surveyors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.