---
title: Jobs in Columbia, SC — Jobs & Salary Outlook
description: Browse jobs in Columbia, South Carolina across state government, healthcare, education,
  logistics, and finance in the capital region.
type: location_city
url: https://www.foundrole.com/locations/south-carolina/columbia
date: 2026-09-28T19:13:47Z
og_description: Columbia, SC jobs reflect state government, healthcare, education, logistics,
  and finance in South Carolina's capital region.
og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/v8rlga.png
breadcrumbs:
  - label: Home
    url: https://www.foundrole.com/
  - label: United States
    url: https://www.foundrole.com/locations
  - label: South Carolina
    url: https://www.foundrole.com/locations/south-carolina
---

# Jobs in Columbia, SC — Jobs & Salary Outlook

**State:** [South Carolina Jobs Hiring Now | Salary, Industries, Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/south-carolina?utm_source=ai_markdown)
**Country:** [Top Job Trends By Locations](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown)
**Open jobs:** 4,152

**Hiring momentum:** +2.8% — 218 new postings in the last 28 days vs 212 in the 28 days before, on career sites tracked through both periods
## Summary

- Postings on employer career sites published Jun 1 – Sep 28, 2026: 6,351
- Median salary: $55K
- Salary range (P25–P75): $37K – $103K
- Remote share: 5.8%

## Market Insights — September 2026

*Based on 6,351 postings published Jun 1 – Sep 28, 2026 • Updated September 28, 2026*

- Industries with the most postings in Columbia, SC: Hospitals and Health Care (26% of all postings), followed by Retail and IT Services and Consulting.
- Pay in Columbia, SC runs 21% below the United States median ($55K vs $70K).
- New postings for Columbia, SC held steady in the last 28 days (218 vs 212 in the 28 days before).

*Numbers above are computed from postings on employer career sites published in the window shown below, closed ones included. Salary figures use posted ranges where available; the market median is the median of the country the pay is quoted in, as its location page shows it. Confidence reflects sample size and signal stability vs the prior month.*

## Top industries in Columbia, SC

| Industry | Total jobs | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals & Health Care | 1681 | $56K |
| Retail | 670 | $31K |
| IT Services & Consulting | 341 | $76K |
| Hospitality | 248 | — |
| Restaurants | 230 | — |
| Construction | 156 | $63K |
| Staffing & Recruiting | 142 | — |
| Food & Beverage Services | 136 | $37K |
| Civil Engineering | 134 | $105K |
| Real Estate | 128 | $40K |

## Top roles hiring in Columbia, SC

| Role | Total jobs | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 466 | — |
| Retail Sales Associate | 169 | $34K |
| Assistant Manager | 143 | — |
| Patient Care Technician | 132 | — |
| Customer Service Representative | 110 | — |
| Sales Representative | 99 | $75K |
| Shift Leader | 89 | — |
| Food Service Associate | 85 | — |
| Physical Therapist | 83 | — |
| General Manager | 79 | — |

## Top hiring companies in Columbia, SC

| Company | Total jobs |
|---|---|
| [Prisma Health Jobs & Careers — Hospital Network](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/prisma-health?utm_source=ai_markdown) | 743 |
| [MUSC Jobs & Careers — Academic Health System](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/musc?utm_source=ai_markdown) | 380 |
| [Aramark Jobs & Careers — Food Service & Facilities](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/aramark?utm_source=ai_markdown) | 238 |
| [Domino's Pizza Pakistan Jobs & Careers — QSR](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/domino-s-pizza?utm_source=ai_markdown) | 148 |
| [Allied Universal Jobs & Careers — Security Services](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/allied-universal?utm_source=ai_markdown) | 105 |

**H1B sponsorship (FY2025 Q4 – FY2026 Q3):** 89 employers filed 285 petitions; 1% of the employers hiring here now are among them.

## Top visa sponsors in Columbia, SC

| Company | Workers | Median filed wage |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina - Office of the Controller | 42 | $88K |
| Richland School District One | 29 | — |
| AgFirst Farm Credit Bank | 22 | — |
| Capgemini | 18 | — |
| BCBS of SC | 18 | — |

[All H1B sponsors in Columbia, SC](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors/columbia-sc?utm_source=ai_markdown)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What industries are hiring most in Columbia, SC?

State government, healthcare, education, logistics, finance, and professional services are among the strongest hiring sectors in Columbia. As the capital city, it has a larger public-administration base than most South Carolina markets, alongside hospitals and office employers.
### Is state government a major employer in Columbia, SC?

Yes. State government is one of Columbia's defining employment anchors because agencies, courts, and related administrative functions support a large base of office and support roles. That public-sector presence also helps sustain nearby legal, hospitality, and service demand.
### What entry-level jobs are common in Columbia, SC?

Entry-level openings in Columbia often appear in clerical support, retail, food service, healthcare support, logistics, and customer service. Those jobs can be a useful starting point for candidates aiming to move into higher-responsibility public-sector, clinical, or professional roles.
### How does Columbia's job market compare to Charleston?

Columbia usually has a stronger state-government and university-centered mix, while Charleston leans more toward port logistics, tourism, and aerospace. Many candidates compare both when deciding between public-sector stability and a coastal metro employer base.
### How can I expand my search beyond Columbia, SC?

Use nearby city links to compare Columbia with Lexington, Irmo, and Charleston-area openings. The <a href="/locations/south-carolina">South Carolina jobs page</a> can help widen the search across South Carolina.
## Related

- [Browse all locations](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown)
- [Search jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs?utm_source=ai_markdown)