Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in Columbia, SC
Commercial and Industrial Designers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $74,960 a year ($36.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,170 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $83,910. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $77,300. There are 0.19 commercial and industrial designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,940, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial and industrial designers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,600 | $15.19 |
| 25th percentile | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Median | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| 75th percentile | $89,110 | $42.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,170 | $57.30 |
| Average (mean) | $71,940 | $34.59 |
Half of commercial and industrial designers 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 | $6,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,123.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,883.08 |
| Weekly | $1,441.54 |
| Hourly | $36.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,960 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.
Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $91,270 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $83,770 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $78,010 | 320 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $58,690 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for commercial and industrial designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $104,870 |
| Michigan | $102,160 |
| Massachusetts | $101,720 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 |
| California | $100,770 |
| Louisiana | $98,040 |
| Minnesota | $94,370 |
| Washington | $94,280 |
| Arkansas | $92,540 |
| Georgia | $91,360 |
See Commercial and Industrial Designers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1021. 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 commercial and industrial designers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for commercial and industrial designers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $74,960 a year, or $36.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial and industrial designers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of commercial and industrial designers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $119,170 a year. The top 25% earn $89,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial and industrial designers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,600 a year, and a quarter of commercial and industrial designers earn $40,020 or less.
How many commercial and industrial designers work in Columbia, SC?
About 70 commercial and industrial designers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.