Columbia Employment

Employment and Industries in the Columbia, South Carolina Area

Columbia has a diversified economy. Some of the major employers are state government, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, the University of South Carolina and the Palmetto Health hospital system. In addition, Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's second largest training facility, is located in Columbia.

Columbia also includes the headquarters of the Fortune 500 company SCANA. Other companies with headquarters in Columbia include Colonial Supplemental Insurance, a major supplemental insurance company, Collexis Holdings Inc, a software development firm, Spectrum Medical, an international medical software company, Nelson Mullins a major national law firm and First Citizens bank, one of the largest state-based banks.

Major manufacturers with facilities in Columbia include CMC Steel, Square D, Michelin, Spirax Sacro, Honeywell, Westinghouse Electric, International Paper, Trane, Bose Corporation Technology, Pirelli Cables, Harsco Track Tech and Solectron. The region also includes more than 70 foreign affiliated firms.

Accolades for Columbia, South Carolina: Forbes named Columbia as a "Best Small Place to do Business". Entrepreneur.com, Inc., ranked Columbia #8 for midsize metropolitan areas in its hot cities for entrepreneurs list. Columbia was named as one of America's 50 hottest cities for corporate expansion and relocation by Expansion Management.

The following is a list of the major employers in the greater Columbia area:

Palmetto Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Richland School System
SCE&G
UPS
Wachovia Bank, N.A.
Branch Banking and Trust Company
City of Columbia
Santee Cooper
Papa John's Pizza
Bank of America
Richland County
Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals
Michelin North America
Bell South
Babcock Center, Inc
Piggly Wiggly, Inc
SC State Dept., of Education
Bose Corporation

The major job providing segments in Columbia, South Carolina:

Healthcare
Education
Manufacturing
Social assistance
Accommodation and food services
Financial activities
Government

Notable details regarding Columbia, South Carolina: Estimated median household income in 2007: $35,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 87.5. Population 25 years and older holding a bachelor's degree or better: 36%.

Columbia businesses can contact the following helpful associations:

TheState.com provides readers with details about local business and industry.

Contact Accredited Schools With Online Options

Lots of Locations
Business/Accounting
Computers & IT
DeVry University Online

Online or On Campus
Business/MBA
Teaching
Nursing & Medical Admin

Lots of Locations
Technician Programs
Criminal Justice
ITT Tech Online

Attend Online
Nursing
Education
Legal Studies

Most Popular Jobs in Columbia, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Registered nurses	7,400	57,930	$40,750 - 78,780	24%	56%
2	Elementary school teachers, except special education	4,450	45,960	$32,550 - 62,650	14%	95%
3	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	3,720	59,150	$28,170 - 104,070	8%	51%
4	Accountants and auditors	3,360	56,330	$32,830 - 82,090	18%	79%
5	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	2,600	49,140	$34,400 - 65,740	6%	96%
6	Management analysts	2,180	63,030	$40,130 - 90,690	22%	78%
7	Teachers and instructors, all other	1,860	46,260	$17,910 - 123,070	9%	54%
8	Lawyers	1,610	107,050	$48,010 -	11%	99%
9	Computer systems analysts	1,520	61,550	$39,650 - 91,510	29%	68%
10	Financial managers	1,370	91,290	$48,930 - 142,740	13%	60%
11	Computer programmers	1,200	63,270	$37,260 - 88,960	0%	73%
12	Chief executives	1,200	165,700	$89,950 -	2%	65%
13	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	1,150	47,180	$33,450 - 63,860	11%	95%
14	Sales managers	990	92,800	$46,580 - 150,460	10%	69%
15	Child, family, and school social workers	930	33,790	$25,090 - 45,240	19%	77%
16	Computer and information systems managers	920	90,390	$57,510 - 128,020	16%	73%
17	Educational, vocational, and school counselors	880	45,420	$27,650 - 68,050	13%	73%
18	Pharmacists	860	101,690	$84,100 - 128,420	22%	97%
19	Social and human service assistants	850	26,060	$18,290 - 35,120	34%	58%
20	Civil engineers	850	65,590	$42,940 - 95,270	18%	87%
21	Industrial engineers	790	73,550	$52,890 - 99,710	20%	74%
22	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	790	72,800	$41,090 - 103,870	12%	51%
23	Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation	770	44,890	$28,850 - 67,290	5%	58%
24	Medical and health services managers	740	76,060	$45,980 - 112,810	16%	57%
25	Network systems and data communications analysts	670	58,700	$35,010 - 93,430	53%	57%
26	Managers, all other	660	65,910	$40,470 - 103,080	7%	55%
27	Medical and clinical laboratory technologists	630	49,050	$34,590 - 65,710	12%	51%
28	Training and development specialists	620	46,890	$30,500 - 67,360	18%	56%
29	Mechanical engineers	610	72,800	$50,600 - 99,800	4%	78%
30	Network and computer systems administrators	600	58,080	$36,620 - 85,470	27%	50%
31	Computer software engineers, systems software	590	84,040	$43,990 - 122,110	28%	85%
32	Public relations specialists	590	42,800	$29,770 - 55,120	18%	81%
33	Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	560	74,970	$54,430 - 100,380	8%	78%
34	Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	560	32,240	$20,880 - 48,840	15%	51%
35	Database administrators	550	59,540	$38,840 - 86,610	29%	72%
36	Self-enrichment education teachers	540	39,340	$20,190 - 62,870	23%	54%
37	Computer software engineers, applications	510	74,690	$54,890 - 99,900	45%	85%
38	Electrical engineers	460	83,150	$59,790 - 106,730	6%	81%
39	Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists	460	40,440	$26,960 - 55,030	18%	56%
40	Librarians	450	52,700	$36,500 - 70,070	4%	85%
41	Marketing managers	450	86,400	$45,760 - 146,220	14%	69%
42	Advertising sales agents	450	45,740	$23,380 - 72,790	20%	56%
43	Instructional coordinators	440	63,360	$38,830 - 83,450	23%	79%
44	Financial specialists, all other	410	65,460	$38,640 - 97,160	12%	50%
45	Personal financial advisors	410	75,560	$33,700 - 153,900	41%	81%
46	Engineering managers	410	106,110	$64,630 - 160,130	7%	84%
47	Medical and public health social workers	410	43,040	$28,390 - 58,570	24%	77%
48	Occupational health and safety specialists	400	41,910	$28,070 - 61,710	8%	72%
49	Coaches and scouts	390	48,130	$14,260 - 86,980	15%	60%
50	Environmental engineers	370	56,480	$36,410 - 80,220	25%	86%
51	Health educators	330	41,360	$27,010 - 65,500	26%	58%
52	Physical therapists	330	74,650	$48,470 - 100,560	27%	89%
53	Financial analysts	330	56,300	$36,140 - 80,310	34%	87%
54	Graphic designers	320	39,520	$25,110 - 51,400	10%	55%
55	Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school	320	45,860	$31,860 - 63,300	20%	87%
56	Insurance underwriters	310	42,890	$30,590 - 63,300	6%	53%
57	Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other	310	52,990	$34,010 - 80,080	17%	56%
58	Education administrators, all other	300	54,980	$34,230 - 81,790	13%	78%
59	Human resources managers, all other	290	69,700	$40,340 - 114,680	11%	58%
60	Social workers, all other	290	43,040	$27,800 - 63,430	18%	77%
61	Speech-language pathologists	290	62,270	$38,490 - 95,230	11%	98%
62	Social and community service managers	280	50,090	$35,240 - 68,710	25%	72%
63	Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	280	96,490	$38,420 -	25%	67%
64	Public relations managers	280	68,930	$45,390 - 94,380	17%	75%
65	Computer specialists, all other	270	54,950	$29,020 - 81,850	15%	68%
66	Sales and related workers, all other	260	26,490	$12,790 - 50,510	14%	62%
67	Detectives and criminal investigators	250	53,920	$34,360 - 86,530	17%	54%
68	Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists	240	49,290	$33,050 - 72,850	18%	56%
69	Rehabilitation counselors	230	41,570	$29,190 - 54,640	23%	73%
70	Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors	230	54,000	$43,250 - 69,740	14%	54%
71	Architects, except landscape and naval	220	78,080	$46,080 - 119,720	18%	88%
72	Occupational therapists	220	74,590	$54,520 - 101,260	23%	90%
73	Market research analysts	210	56,920	$33,610 - 91,280	20%	82%
74	Operations research analysts	210	61,730	$34,990 - 92,100	11%	71%
75	Special education teachers, secondary school	210	47,900	$32,340 - 64,650	9%	87%
76	Compensation and benefits managers	200	66,120	$43,210 - 102,130	12%	58%
77	Dietitians and nutritionists	200	54,440	$32,030 - 81,740	9%	72%
78	Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists	200	64,330	$43,490 - 106,020	16%	99%
79	Legislators	190	16,690	$12,920 - 19,760	1%	65%
80	Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists	190	37,650	$26,560 - 50,670	11%	58%
81	Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	180	42,220	$27,550 - 64,640	25%	93%
82	Credit analysts	180	55,760	$33,980 - 80,080	2%	60%
83	Purchasing managers	180	73,440	$48,240 - 101,460	3%	57%
84	Chemical engineers	160	79,190	$52,950 - 106,550	8%	91%
85	Community and social service specialists, all other	160	26,690	$19,590 - 35,140	25%	58%
86	Surveyors	160	49,390	$27,920 - 67,080	24%	82%
87	Education administrators, postsecondary	160	99,700	$44,630 -	14%	78%
88	Mental health counselors	150	47,010	$25,350 - 82,930	30%	73%
89	Veterinarians	150	78,700	$31,640 - 111,140	35%	100%
90	Interior designers	150	60,450	$30,260 - 148,100	20%	55%
91	Special education teachers, middle school	140	43,140	$30,030 - 62,050	16%	87%
92	Producers and directors	140	31,940	$14,550 - 55,740	11%	75%
93	Reporters and correspondents	140	38,100	$21,760 - 69,890	1%	85%
94	Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers	130	37,100	$24,410 - 50,370	22%	93%
95	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors	130	38,430	$29,080 - 52,020	34%	73%
96	Vocational education teachers, secondary school	120	50,160	$37,030 - 66,310	0%	96%
97	Electronics engineers, except computer	120	78,660	$52,230 - 112,560	4%	81%
98	Floral designers	120	19,020	$14,190 - 24,240	0%	55%
99	Budget analysts	120	59,610	$44,180 - 78,960	7%	78%
100	Dentists, general	120	160,700	$77,510 -	9%	100%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Retail salespersons	10,930	24,390	$14,350 - 38,440	12%	25%
2	Office clerks, general	10,300	25,950	$17,050 - 36,040	13%	19%
3	Cashiers	10,030	16,660	$12,970 - 21,760	-2%	10%
4	Customer service representatives	7,240	29,120	$18,280 - 40,770	25%	22%
5	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	6,650	22,980	$16,020 - 33,460	2%	5%
6	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	6,040	42,180	$27,820 - 59,820	6%	29%
7	General and operations managers	5,220	97,800	$47,500 - 163,020	2%	48%
8	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	5,210	19,440	$13,410 - 27,310	15%	4%
9	Waiters and waitresses	4,990	15,020	$12,750 - 17,150	11%	14%
10	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	4,760	30,610	$20,280 - 41,460	13%	16%
11	Maintenance and repair workers, general	4,430	34,440	$19,710 - 51,440	10%	6%
12	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	4,350	20,330	$14,340 - 26,470	18%	7%
13	Stock clerks and order fillers	4,290	22,190	$14,010 - 33,370	-7%	8%
14	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	4,140	15,410	$12,870 - 19,240	18%	5%
15	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	4,090	28,910	$19,420 - 39,150	1%	18%
16	Team assemblers	3,860	31,190	$18,920 - 46,800	0%	5%
17	Food preparation workers	3,500	16,290	$12,940 - 20,890	15%	7%
18	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	3,440	39,440	$23,360 - 55,100	4%	25%
19	Security guards	3,420	24,880	$16,340 - 35,970	17%	13%
20	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	3,060	37,410	$26,320 - 51,870	10%	4%
21	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	3,050	38,200	$26,160 - 51,410	15%	18%
22	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	2,910	28,150	$15,700 - 43,880	8%	4%
23	Receptionists and information clerks	2,750	24,860	$17,190 - 32,660	17%	13%
24	Home health aides	2,670	19,160	$16,060 - 24,040	49%	7%
25	Teacher assistants	2,570	18,070	$13,430 - 23,900	10%	18%
26	Cooks, fast food	2,430	15,370	$12,840 - 19,350	8%	5%
27	Cooks, restaurant	2,340	20,510	$15,700 - 26,100	12%	5%
28	Carpenters	2,180	33,260	$23,330 - 44,710	10%	6%
29	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	2,140	47,560	$34,010 - 64,470	9%	10%
30	Correctional officers and jailers	2,120	29,530	$22,850 - 37,610	17%	11%
31	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	2,070	38,290	$28,630 - 49,530	14%	7%
32	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	1,980	33,770	$18,480 - 52,790	14%	4%
33	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	1,980	51,990	$33,240 - 76,920	7%	13%
34	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	1,910	28,480	$19,940 - 40,210	11%	14%
35	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	1,890	41,380	$28,820 - 57,330	11%	33%
36	Tellers	1,880	23,590	$19,810 - 29,510	14%	16%
37	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	1,820	16,740	$13,150 - 20,700	13%	5%
38	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	1,800	26,680	$16,980 - 38,870	4%	6%
39	Dishwashers	1,740	17,160	$13,730 - 20,190	10%	3%
40	Construction laborers	1,740	23,290	$17,410 - 30,400	11%	5%
41	Child care workers	1,680	16,800	$13,070 - 21,850	18%	15%
42	Electricians	1,670	36,550	$24,400 - 51,590	7%	7%
43	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	1,620	55,030	$33,100 - 80,620	-4%	15%
44	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	1,620	23,240	$16,820 - 32,570	18%	6%
45	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	1,570	29,270	$22,200 - 37,530	4%	15%
46	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	1,490	36,760	$27,480 - 46,800	11%	4%
47	Bill and account collectors	1,390	28,810	$20,680 - 38,890	23%	13%
48	Business operations specialists, all other	1,380	69,490	$32,800 - 102,560	21%	49%
49	Insurance sales agents	1,380	51,690	$27,090 - 86,090	13%	45%
50	Industrial truck and tractor operators	1,380	29,210	$20,430 - 39,440	-1%	2%
51	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	1,350	35,130	$21,470 - 50,030	-6%	14%
52	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	1,290	20,200	$13,740 - 26,040	11%	5%
53	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	1,240	34,110	$26,300 - 42,190	5%	2%
54	Data entry keyers	1,220	24,500	$17,520 - 33,960	-4%	18%
55	Computer support specialists	1,200	41,720	$29,760 - 58,520	13%	43%
56	Construction managers	1,170	76,040	$36,650 - 117,650	16%	29%
57	Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	1,130	31,200	$22,620 - 40,890	8%	3%
58	Paralegals and legal assistants	1,130	40,940	$27,600 - 56,540	22%	45%
59	Bus drivers, school	1,110	16,750	$12,950 - 22,340	9%	4%
60	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	1,110	33,980	$23,080 - 48,940	9%	3%
61	Helpers--production workers	1,100	21,240	$15,250 - 28,000	0%	4%
62	Packers and packagers, hand	1,090	20,060	$13,730 - 31,160	-11%	3%
63	Counter and rental clerks	1,070	22,890	$14,320 - 35,370	23%	16%
64	First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	1,020	66,970	$36,710 - 103,790	4%	38%
65	Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators	1,000	52,280	$33,160 - 76,550	9%	47%
66	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	1,000	15,830	$13,000 - 19,300	10%	17%
67	Pharmacy technicians	970	25,070	$16,020 - 33,300	32%	16%
68	Medical assistants	960	29,330	$22,060 - 38,330	35%	10%
69	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	950	18,490	$13,230 - 26,700	14%	3%
70	Bartenders	920	15,310	$12,820 - 18,980	11%	17%
71	Administrative services managers	920	65,250	$40,610 - 97,350	12%	40%
72	Insurance claims and policy processing clerks	890	30,610	$22,830 - 40,170	0%	22%
73	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	860	16,910	$13,210 - 20,630	12%	6%
74	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	850	23,640	$13,250 - 36,550	12%	6%
75	Personal and home care aides	840	18,120	$16,230 - 20,340	51%	10%
76	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	830	15,130	$12,830 - 18,760	10%	8%
77	Legal secretaries	810	36,420	$27,230 - 48,000	12%	18%
78	Postal service mail carriers	810			1%	11%
79	Chemical plant and system operators	800	44,830	$31,360 - 60,440	-14%	7%
80	Physicians and surgeons, all other	800	141,410	$45,500 -	0%	0%
81	Industrial machinery mechanics	800	48,340	$33,370 - 71,410	9%	5%
82	Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers	790	20,780	$14,200 - 30,080	12%	0%
83	Healthcare support workers, all other	750	30,710	$21,900 - 41,830	16%	10%
84	Vocational education teachers, postsecondary	740	37,030	$26,760 - 57,560	0%	0%
85	Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products	730	49,020	$29,990 - 72,260	0%	42%
86	File clerks	720	21,570	$14,260 - 30,460	-40%	20%
87	Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping	690	33,190	$23,740 - 45,140	11%	29%
88	Driver/sales workers	690	24,510	$13,900 - 36,420	-4%	4%
89	Parts salespersons	690	30,870	$18,640 - 43,010	-1%	6%
90	Emergency medical technicians and paramedics	680	32,120	$20,290 - 44,420	19%	14%
91	Interviewers, except eligibility and loan	670	27,660	$21,530 - 35,220	10%	24%
92	Dental assistants	670	31,440	$25,910 - 39,290	29%	9%
93	Cooks, short order	670	16,190	$12,970 - 20,510	5%	5%
94	Drywall and ceiling tile installers	670	29,860	$24,760 - 34,840	7%	2%
95	Loan officers	670	61,580	$33,720 - 102,690	12%	49%
96	Slaughterers and meat packers	670	17,370	$13,480 - 21,850	13%	2%
97	Machinists	660	34,590	$24,170 - 47,090	-2%	3%
98	Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	650	28,630	$18,300 - 39,780	-14%	0%
99	Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers	630	46,270	$25,000 - 66,820	3%	13%
100	Sales representatives, services, all other	610	45,380	$27,890 - 72,910	28%	48%

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Career Schools in Columbia

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ECPI College of Technology
Columbia, South Carolina

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Engineering, Engineering Technician, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Degree, Diploma
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Medical Careers Institute
Columbia, South Carolina

Programs: Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Bachelor , Diploma
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Remington College
Columbia, South Carolina

Programs: Beauty And Cosmetology, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Cooking And Culinary Arts, Design, Engineering Technician, Medical Support And Technology, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Office And Administration, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma
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Strayer University
Columbia, South Carolina

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Liberal Arts, Medical Administration, Security And Law Enforcement
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Master
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University of Phoenix
Columbia, South Carolina

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Liberal Arts, Media, Medical Administration, Medicine, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Doctorate, Master
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Jobs More Common Near Columbia Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs	Pop. vs. Avg.*
Fallers	22,600	100	54.8
Choreographers	35,170	170	11.6
Grounds maintenance workers, all other	18,820	140	11
Chemical plant and system operators	44,830	800	10.6
Slaughterers and meat packers	17,370	670	10.5
Telephone operators	25,440	190	8.5
Hydrologists	56,220	100	8.1
Court reporters	38,590	220	7.6
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders	20,020	190	6.1
Insurance appraisers, auto damage	49,470	110	6.1
Loan counselors	35,370	370	5.5
Education administrators, all other	54,980	300	4.9
Insulation workers, mechanical	31,520	260	4.7
Cartographers and photogrammetrists	47,940	100	4.7
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door	55,800	360	4.5
Correctional officers and jailers	29,530	2,120	4.1
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	34,380	250	4.1
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics	28,130	140	3.9
Helpers, construction trades, all other	20,860	180	3.7
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders	29,060	160	3.7
Home appliance repairers	28,550	260	3.6
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders	27,880	170	3.6
Occupational health and safety specialists	41,910	400	3.2
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons	21,820	110	3.1
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood	22,310	180	3.1
Real estate brokers	52,760	340	3
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates	78,860	100	3
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators	29,030	370	3
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary	37,030	740	3
Metal workers and plastic workers, all other	27,520	190	2.8
Procurement clerks	32,990	570	2.8
Environmental engineers	56,480	370	2.8
Environmental engineering technicians	43,090	110	2.5
Business teachers, postsecondary	80,130	360	2.4
Crane and tower operators	32,010	190	2.4
Recreational therapists	28,880	110	2.3
Painting, coating, and decorating workers	24,600	140	2.3
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	23,590	420	2.3
Chemical engineers	79,190	160	2.3
Radio and television announcers	48,180	120	2.3
Pipelayers	34,020	270	2.2
Helpers--carpenters	22,850	400	2.2
Computer operators	32,150	600	2.2
Health educators	41,360	330	2.2
Dietetic technicians	23,520	100	2.1
Drywall and ceiling tile installers	29,860	670	2.1
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers	20,780	790	2.1
Chemical equipment operators and tenders	41,690	190	2
Compensation and benefits managers	66,120	200	2
Food cooking machine operators and tenders	25,950	130	2

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Columbia, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Salary Index *	Local Jobs
Property, real estate, and community association managers	74,800	1.4	220
Coaches and scouts	48,130	1.35	390
Interior designers	60,450	1.28	150
Radiologic technologists and technicians	63,930	1.25	560
Radio and television announcers	48,180	1.24	120
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	96,490	1.22	280
Teachers and instructors, all other	46,260	1.22	1,860
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door	55,800	1.21	360
Medical equipment preparers	34,980	1.21	120
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors	54,000	1.19	230
Business operations specialists, all other	69,490	1.18	1,380
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors	34,910	1.16	550
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders	35,360	1.16	200
Mental health counselors	47,010	1.15	150
Rehabilitation counselors	41,570	1.15	230
Financial specialists, all other	65,460	1.14	410
Team assemblers	31,190	1.14	3,860
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers	33,670	1.14	440
Loan interviewers and clerks	35,900	1.13	310
Electromechanical equipment assemblers	35,320	1.12	180
Education administrators, postsecondary	99,700	1.12	160
Physical therapist assistants	51,010	1.11	150
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders	29,060	1.11	160
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders	27,880	1.11	170
Occupational therapists	74,590	1.11	220
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary	72,990	1.1	120
Chief executives	165,700	1.1	1,200
Instructional coordinators	63,360	1.1	440
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders	35,390	1.1	400
Education teachers, postsecondary	65,220	1.09	190
Chemical technicians	45,720	1.09	140
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	31,970	1.09	380
Business teachers, postsecondary	80,130	1.09	360
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products	55,280	1.09	220
Industrial machinery mechanics	48,340	1.09	800
Architects, except landscape and naval	78,080	1.07	220
Family and general practitioners	176,550	1.07	300
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines	46,010	1.07	510
Food cooking machine operators and tenders	25,950	1.07	130
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks	20,730	1.07	510
Motor vehicle operators, all other	30,160	1.06	170
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other	38,350	1.06	160
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	27,730	1.06	470
Automotive body and related repairers	41,620	1.06	230
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians	52,700	1.06	170
Dietitians and nutritionists	54,440	1.06	200
Healthcare support workers, all other	30,710	1.05	750
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	35,130	1.05	1,350
Crossing guards	24,130	1.05	110
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	31,890	1.05	180

Highest Paying Jobs in Columbia, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs
Surgeons	218,080	90
Internists, general	208,180	100
Anesthesiologists	197,770
Family and general practitioners	176,550	300
Obstetricians and gynecologists	171,510	60
Chief executives	165,700	1,200
Dentists, general	160,700	120
Physicians and surgeons, all other	141,410	800
Pediatricians, general	137,390	50
Computer and information scientists, research	114,940	70
Lawyers	107,050	1,610
Engineering managers	106,110	410
Pharmacists	101,690	860
Education administrators, postsecondary	99,700	160
General and operations managers	97,800	5,220
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	96,490	280
Sales managers	92,800	990
Financial managers	91,290	1,370
Computer and information systems managers	90,390	920
Natural sciences managers	87,280	40
Industrial production managers	87,160	560
Marketing managers	86,400	450
Computer software engineers, systems software	84,040	590
Electrical engineers	83,150	460
Computer science teachers, postsecondary	81,300	50
Business teachers, postsecondary	80,130	360
Chemical engineers	79,190	160
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates	78,860	100
History teachers, postsecondary	78,710	60
Veterinarians	78,700	150
Electronics engineers, except computer	78,660	120
Architects, except landscape and naval	78,080	220
Physician assistants	76,920	90
Advertising and promotions managers	76,430	80
Medical and health services managers	76,060	740
Construction managers	76,040	1,170
Personal financial advisors	75,560	410
Financial examiners	75,180	50
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	74,970	560
Property, real estate, and community association managers	74,800	220
Computer software engineers, applications	74,690	510
Physical therapists	74,650	330
Occupational therapists	74,590	220
Industrial engineers	73,550	790
Purchasing managers	73,440	180
Psychology teachers, postsecondary	73,370	80
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary	72,990	120
Chiropractors	72,900	50
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers	72,850	240
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	72,800	790

Large Companies Headquartered in Columbia

Company	Revenue 2005 (billions)
SCANA	4.8

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