Columbia, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

High School Teacher Salary in Columbia, SC

In the Columbia, SC metropolitan area, high school teachers earned a median annual wage of $62,500 ($30.05/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $48,700/year and the 90th was $80,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $50,571 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$62,500$30.05 per hour · $5,208 monthly
10th Percentile$48,700$23.41/hr base
25th Percentile$55,700$26.78/hr base
75th Percentile$76,500$36.78/hr base
90th Percentile$80,600$38.75/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$62,500
$25,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$62,500
Net 81%
Fed 9%
SC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$50,571After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,214Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,945Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,320 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,828 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,781 / yr

Secondary School Teachers Wage Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Secondary School Teachers in the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$23.41/hr$4,058$48,700$40,397
25th Percentile$26.78/hr$4,642$55,700$45,557
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$30.05/hr$5,208$62,500$50,571
75th Percentile$36.78/hr$6,375$76,500$59,891
90th Percentile$38.75/hr$6,717$80,600$62,504

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbia, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$62,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,359Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.76.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio91.4%of area median income

Compare high school teachers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary School Teachers Pay in Columbia, SC

What is the median salary for high school teachers in Columbia, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for high school teachers in Columbia, SC is $62,500, which equates to approximately $5,208 per month or $30.05 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for high school teachers in Columbia, SC?

The median hourly wage for high school teachers in Columbia, SC is $30.05 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $23.41/hour and one in ten earned more than $38.75/hour.

What is the pay range for high school teachers in Columbia, SC?

BLS wage estimates for high school teachers in Columbia, SC span from $48,700 at the 10th percentile to $55,700 at the 25th, $76,500 at the 75th, and $80,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do high school teachers take home after taxes in Columbia, SC?

On a median gross salary of $62,500, an estimated $50,571 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,945 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $11,929 (an effective rate of 19.1%).

How much do high school teachers make per month in Columbia, SC?

On the median annual salary of $62,500, gross monthly income is $5,208. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,214 per month (or $1,945 every two weeks).

Is $62,500 a good salary in Columbia, SC?

At $62,500, the median salary for high school teachers is 91.4% of the Columbia, SC median household income ($68,359). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.7, making regional consumer goods and services 6.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.