salary$94,520 a year$45 an hour · median pay in the Columbia, SC area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$66,490per year
Top pay (top 10%)$147,430per year
Jobs in the area1,070people work this job
Can a civil engineer afford Columbia?
Cheap. Rent of $1,394 a month takes 17.7% of the median civil engineer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Columbia
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Columbia, SC?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the Columbia, SC area is $94,520 a year ($45 an hour). Most earn between $66,490 and $147,430.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in Columbia?
Typical rent of $1,394 a month takes 17.7% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Columbia, SC metro area.