Average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
In Columbia, SC, professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations can expect an average annual salary of $57,350. This figure is notably below the national average of $77,720, reflecting regional economic factors and the specific demand dynamics within the South Carolina market. The cost of living in Columbia, however, aligns perfectly with the national average, suggesting that while nominal salaries are lower, purchasing power may be more comparable.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $57,350 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 6.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $94,040.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 3,490 individuals in these creative fields and a Location Quotient of 0.66, the job market in Columbia, SC, indicates a below-average concentration compared to national benchmarks. This suggests that while opportunities exist, the sector is not as densely populated as in other major metropolitan areas, potentially leading to a more specialized or niche demand for talent.
Salary Overview
The average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Columbia, SC earns-26.2%below the national average.
$27.6
$1,103
$4,779
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this sector in Columbia, SC is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations have seen incremental growth over the past four years, mirroring broader economic trends. This growth is typically driven by inflation, increased demand for specialized skills, and the evolving landscape of media and entertainment consumption.
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Distribution in Columbia, SC
Salary progression within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Columbia, SC, is strongly tied to experience and specialization. Entry-level positions typically fall into the lower percentiles, while senior roles and those with highly sought-after skills command salaries in the upper percentiles. The significant gaps between these percentiles underscore the substantial career advancement and earning potential available for dedicated professionals.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $27,620 | $13.3 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $43,013 | $20.7 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $47,060 | $22.6 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $71,688 | $34.5 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $94,040 | $45.2 |
Detailed Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$57,350
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$57,350
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $57,350 in Columbia, SC, is positioned against a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average for this profession, the cost of essential goods and services is not higher, offering a balanced perspective on the financial viability of working in this sector locally.
Job Market Context
3,490
Total Jobs
9.032
Per 1K Jobs
0.66
Location Quotient
Columbia, SC has 0.66x the national average concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.66 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Columbia, SC, signifies that this sector is less concentrated locally than the national average. This suggests a market that may be less saturated with professionals in these fields, potentially offering unique opportunities for those with specialized skills, but also indicating a smaller overall demand compared to national hubs.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Comparing salaries near Columbia, SC
Hiring Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations make in Columbia, SC?
The median annual salary for a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Columbia, SC is $57,350. This typically ranges from $27,620 for entry-level positions to $94,040 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Columbia, SC is 26.2% lower than the national median of $77,720.
Is Columbia, SC a lucrative place for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to national averages.The average salary of $57,350 is significantly lower than the national average of $77,720, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to live for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Columbia, SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Columbia, SC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($50,870) and Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area.
How does Columbia, SC's salary for this sector compare to the national average?
The average salary in Columbia, SC, is $57,350, which is considerably lower than the national average of $77,720 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations.
What is the concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs in Columbia, SC?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.66, indicating that these occupations are less prevalent in Columbia, SC, compared to the national average.
Does the cost of living in Columbia, SC affect the perceived salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Columbia, SC, matches the national average, meaning the lower nominal salary is somewhat offset by comparable living expenses.
How many people work in these creative fields in Columbia, SC?
There are approximately 3,490 individuals employed in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations within Columbia, SC.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 3,490 employees in the Columbia, SC area with a job density of 9.032 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Columbia, SC
- All Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Production Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Management Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Columbia, SC
- Browse All Jobs in Columbia, SC →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Columbia, SC