EducationUpdated Q1 2025

K-12 Teacher Salary
in Columbia, SC

Educate students in elementary through high school across core academic subjects. Median salary in Columbia: $57K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$57K
per year
Take-home: $36K

Salary range in Columbia

Entry level (25th)$41,000
Median (50th)$57,000
Senior (75th)$75,000
Top earner (90th)$97,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Columbia, South Carolina.

Key facts for Columbia

Median salary
$57K
annual
Take-home pay
$36K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.5%
annual
Avg 1BR rent
$1,100
per month
YoY growth
+1.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Columbia K-12 Teacher to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $61K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Columbia

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
K-12 Teacher salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$48K$51K$55K$58K$61K201920212023202520272029
2026
$58K
projected
2027
$59K
projected
2028
$60K
projected
2029
$60K
projected
2030
$61K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$59,000+$2,000
2028 projected$60,000+$3,000
2029 projected$60,000+$3,000
2030 projected$61,000+$4,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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K-12 Teacher Salary in Columbia, South Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median K-12 Teacher salary in Columbia, SC is $57,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Columbia–SC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for K-12 Teacher in Columbia

Entry-level K-12 Teachers in Columbia with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $41,000 and $57,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $57,000 to $75,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $75,000 to $97,000 or more.

Cost of living in Columbia for K-12 Teachers

Columbia has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Columbia than the national average. South Carolina has a 6.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for K-12 Teacher

Bachelor's in Education; state teaching certification. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

K-12 Teacher salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Columbia (current)$57K88
Charleston105
North Charleston95
Greenville92