Accountants and Auditors salary in Columbia, SC
Accountants and Auditors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $69,210 a year ($33.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,040 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $83,680. Pay here is 10% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $76,560. There are 8.3 accountants and auditors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for accountants and auditors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 25th percentile | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| Median | $69,210 | $33.27 |
| 75th percentile | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,040 | $52.42 |
| Average (mean) | $76,220 | $36.65 |
Half of accountants and auditors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,883.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,661.92 |
| Weekly | $1,330.96 |
| Hourly | $33.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Accountants and Auditors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $92,910 | 16,820 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,350 | 2,600 |
| Sumter, SC | $78,460 | 150 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $77,610 | 470 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $77,080 | 800 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $76,870 | 2,890 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $76,710 | 1,280 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $74,520 | 850 |
| Florence, SC | $72,040 | 470 |
Highest-paying states for accountants and auditors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| New York | $102,640 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 |
| California | $97,050 |
| Colorado | $97,030 |
| Washington | $96,550 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 |
| Delaware | $95,020 |
See Accountants and Auditors pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Officer | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $87,630 | $42.13 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,130 | $45.26 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Tax Preparer | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,980 | $39.89 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Credit Analyst | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| Financial Examiner | $90,260 | $43.40 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountants and auditors make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for accountants and auditors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $69,210 a year, or $33.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid accountants and auditors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of accountants and auditors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $109,040 a year. The top 25% earn $84,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for accountants and auditors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,530 a year, and a quarter of accountants and auditors earn $58,320 or less.
How many accountants and auditors work in Columbia, SC?
About 3,260 accountants and auditors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.