SOC 19-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Urban and Regional Planners — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 4 metro areas compared
In Columbia, SC the median wage is $71,910.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbia, SC the median wage is $71,910. That is 19.5% lower than the national median of $89,320. Pay ranges from under $48,170 at the tenth percentile to more than $109,300 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $58,460 to $80,050.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Hilton Head Island records the highest median at $94,670. Of the 511 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 150th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,170 | −46.1% |
| 25th | $58,460 | −34.5% |
| Median (50th) | $71,910 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $80,050 | −10.4% |
| 90th | $109,300 | +22.4% |
| Mean | $74,660 | −16.4% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Island | $94,670 | 40 | |
| 2 | Greenville | $76,480 | 80 | |
| 3 | Charleston | $74,840 | 120 | |
| 4 | Spartanburg | $74,640 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $71,910 goes as far as $76,745 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$71,910as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,745US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $71,910 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,170 to $109,300 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Hilton Head Island, at $94,670.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $71,910, or $34.57 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $89,320, so pay in Columbia, SC is 19.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbia, SC earns more than $109,300 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,170 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Hilton Head Island, at $94,670 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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