Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in Columbia, SC
Compensation and Benefits Managers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $73,870 a year ($35.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,780 for the top 10%. That is 50% lower than the national median of $149,230. Pay here is 26% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $99,630. There are 0.31 compensation and benefits managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compensation and benefits managers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| 25th percentile | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Median | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| 75th percentile | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,780 | $69.60 |
| Average (mean) | $87,140 | $41.90 |
Half of compensation and benefits managers 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 | $6,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,077.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,841.15 |
| Weekly | $1,420.58 |
| Hourly | $35.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,870 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.
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $167,450 | 300 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $150,810 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $125,750 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $125,340 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for compensation and benefits managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $199,190 |
| Connecticut | $197,970 |
| Massachusetts | $184,070 |
| New York | $175,620 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 |
| California | $166,730 |
| Delaware | $166,070 |
| Colorado | $165,770 |
| Minnesota | $163,390 |
| Georgia | $163,060 |
See Compensation and Benefits Managers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $141,570 | $68.06 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $101,030 | $48.57 |
| Human Resources Manager | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Facilities Manager | $98,020 | $47.12 |
| Training and Development Managers | $104,470 | $50.23 |
| Purchasing Manager | $112,530 | $54.10 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $126,680 | $60.91 |
| General and Operations Managers | $103,950 | $49.98 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,280 | $51.58 |
| Sales Manager | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $101,830 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-3111. 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 compensation and benefits managers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for compensation and benefits managers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $73,870 a year, or $35.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compensation and benefits managers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of compensation and benefits managers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $144,780 a year. The top 25% earn $94,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for compensation and benefits managers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,520 a year, and a quarter of compensation and benefits managers earn $61,870 or less.
How many compensation and benefits managers work in Columbia, SC?
About 120 compensation and benefits managers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.