Columbia, SC metro area
Highest-Paying Occupations in Columbia Metro
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Columbia, SC metro area
Figures describe the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Columbia city limits. Occupations are ranked by published median annual wage; occupations where BLS suppressed the annual median or publishes only hourly wages are not ranked (4 such occupations here).
Top 25 of 511 occupations
| # | Occupation | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 | 1,050 |
| 2 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $296,020 | $142.32 | Not published |
| 3 | Anesthesiologists | $290,620 | $139.72 | 70 |
| 4 | Nurse Anesthetists | $271,350 | $130.46 | 210 |
| 5 | Psychiatrists | $251,060 | $120.70 | 90 |
| 6 | Surgeons, All Other | $239,200 or more | $115.00 or more | Not published |
| 7 | Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 | 480 |
| 8 | Family Medicine Physicians | $224,360 | $107.86 | 100 |
| 9 | Chief Executives | $176,890 | $85.04 | 320 |
| 10 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $162,260 | $78.01 | 360 |
| 11 | Advertising and Promotions Managers | $159,950 | $76.90 | 50 |
| 12 | Optometrists | $156,350 | $75.17 | 90 |
| 13 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $141,570 | $68.06 | 990 |
| 14 | Marketing Managers | $136,930 | $65.83 | 560 |
| 15 | Database Architects | $135,790 | $65.28 | 240 |
| 16 | Pharmacists | $133,850 | $64.35 | 1,050 |
| 17 | Actuaries | $133,060 | $63.97 | 80 |
| 18 | Psychologists, All Other | $130,580 | $62.78 | 40 |
| 19 | Managers, All Other | $129,960 | $62.48 | 410 |
| 20 | Veterinarians | $129,960 | $62.48 | 210 |
| 21 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $129,830 | $62.42 | 70 |
| 22 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $129,380 | Not published | 230 |
| 23 | Sales Managers | $128,650 | $61.85 | 1,360 |
| 24 | Nuclear Engineers | $128,340 | $61.70 | 120 |
| 25 | Industrial Production Managers | $128,050 | $61.56 | 850 |
The full list of every published occupation here is on the Columbia metro area overview.
About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.