Career Atlas USA

Careers in Columbia, SC

Part of South Carolina.

Columbia, SC’s regional price level is below the national average (index 93.662, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 4.2% · 423,433 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Physicians, All Other$374,300
  2. 2Obstetricians and Gynecologists$296,020
  3. 3Anesthesiologists$290,620
  4. 4Nurse Anesthetists$271,350
  5. 5Psychiatrists$251,060

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers11,640 employed
  2. 2Retail Salespersons10,860 employed
  3. 3Customer Service Representatives10,430 employed
  4. 4Stockers and Order Fillers9,470 employed
  5. 5Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand9,410 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Hydrologists6.42× national avg
  2. 2Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians4.76× national avg
  3. 3Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators4.15× national avg
  4. 4Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other3.87× national avg
  5. 5Power Distributors and Dispatchers3.75× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Physicians, All Other$399,628
  2. 2Obstetricians and Gynecologists$316,051
  3. 3Anesthesiologists$310,286
  4. 4Nurse Anesthetists$289,712
  5. 5Psychiatrists$268,049

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see South Carolina state page.