Highest paying jobs in Columbia, SC
The best paying occupations in the Columbia, SC metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 6.3% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianColumbia, SC | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $374,300 | $99,230 – $501,690 | 1,050 |
| 2 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $296,020 | $213,450 – $440,140 | — |
| 3 | AnesthesiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $290,620 | $197,690 – $538,010 | 70 |
| 4 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $271,350 | $214,000 – $333,030 | 210 |
| 5 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $251,060 | $147,100 – $303,590 | 90 |
| 6 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $228,820 | $104,860 – $310,840 | 480 |
| 7 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $224,360 | $98,790 – $320,540 | 100 |
| 8 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $176,890 | $81,450 – $353,060 | 320 |
| 9 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $162,260 | $111,360 – $232,130 | 360 |
| 10 | Advertising and Promotions ManagersBachelor's degree | $159,950 | $90,360 – $217,100 | 50 |
| 11 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $156,350 | $49,030 – $167,620 | 90 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $141,570 | $87,410 – $222,560 | 990 |
| 13 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,930 | $78,920 – $273,130 | 560 |
| 14 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $135,790 | $84,310 – $169,610 | 240 |
| 15 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $133,850 | $81,390 – $169,540 | 1,050 |
| 16 | ActuariesBachelor's degree | $133,060 | $65,640 – $228,580 | 80 |
| 17 | Psychologists, All OtherMaster's degree | $130,580 | $94,600 – $150,990 | 40 |
| 18 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $129,960 | $71,080 – $193,190 | 410 |
| 19 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $129,960 | $77,510 – $220,150 | 210 |
| 20 | Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,830 | $70,560 – $172,090 | 70 |
| 21 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $129,380 | $37,180 – $211,950 | 230 |
| 22 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $128,650 | $60,030 – $214,840 | 1,360 |
| 23 | Nuclear EngineersBachelor's degree | $128,340 | $98,930 – $158,830 | 120 |
| 24 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $128,050 | $78,020 – $196,910 | 850 |
| 25 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,680 | $74,870 – $193,380 | — |
| 26 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $125,510 | $84,010 – $162,990 | 270 |
| 27 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,790 | $77,490 – $235,240 | 1,800 |
| 28 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $123,380 | $70,950 – $172,460 | 2,070 |
| 29 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $122,930 | $74,250 – $212,760 | 90 |
| 30 | Materials EngineersBachelor's degree | $121,290 | $72,320 – $176,740 | 40 |
| 31 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $118,470 | $97,010 – $150,700 | 920 |
| 32 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $115,840 | $91,980 – $155,600 | 400 |
| 33 | Transportation InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $115,210 | $49,940 – $149,430 | 40 |
| 34 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $114,560 | $63,280 – $173,310 | 130 |
| 35 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $112,530 | $80,190 – $180,930 | 130 |
| 36 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $112,180 | $74,380 – $180,570 | 820 |
| 37 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $109,440 | $67,430 – $190,420 | 460 |
| 38 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $109,080 | $48,330 – $200,180 | 450 |
| 39 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $108,830 | $62,000 – $214,250 | 100 |
| 40 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $107,280 | $69,520 – $186,080 | 1,640 |
| 41 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $105,200 | $63,030 – $293,340 | 1,950 |
| 42 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $104,470 | $69,230 – $169,200 | 150 |
| 43 | History Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $104,100 | $51,330 – $124,270 | 50 |
| 44 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,950 | $54,080 – $214,420 | 4,890 |
| 45 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,620 | $66,050 – $171,300 | 30 |
| 46 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $102,890 | $62,150 – $163,030 | 370 |
| 47 | Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $102,690 | $63,250 – $204,980 | 50 |
| 48 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $102,650 | $77,060 – $112,260 | 280 |
| 49 | Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $102,390 | $65,380 – $160,870 | 90 |
| 50 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $102,280 | $72,120 – $150,630 | 450 |