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Average salary by job family in Columbus
| Management | $118,160 |
|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical | $100,060 |
| Legal | $93,170 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $88,930 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $86,690 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $81,530 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $77,750 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $57,410 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $57,040 |
| Community and Social Service | $56,140 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $53,990 |
| Construction and Extraction | $48,920 |
| Protective Service | $48,410 |
| Production | $47,100 |
| Sales and Related | $42,620 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $42,500 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $39,260 |
| Healthcare Support | $36,290 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $36,250 |
| Personal Care and Service | $32,510 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $32,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $28,390 |
Highest-paying jobs in Columbus
- Chief Executives$246,200
- Dentists, General$230,220
- Nurse Anesthetists$221,880
- Family Medicine Physicians$210,830
- Physicians, All Other$191,050
- Pediatricians, General$179,660
- Personal Financial Advisors$178,190
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$164,420
- Marketing Managers$160,200
- Financial Managers$156,770
Most common jobs in Columbus and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 4,060 | $25,040 | $23,300 |
| Retail Salespersons | 3,580 | $30,580 | $28,180 |
| Cashiers | 2,900 | $26,510 | $26,980 |
| Registered Nurses | 2,790 | $82,120 | $82,500 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 2,490 | $36,490 | $36,910 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,150 | $37,940 | $37,330 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 2,150 | $34,310 | $31,690 |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,140 | $110,020 | $82,330 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 2,080 | $25,590 | $20,800 |
| Office Clerks, General | 1,720 | $38,560 | $37,340 |
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Cost of living in Columbus
Prices in the Columbus area are 11% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 89.3 for 2024. The average local salary of $55,130 therefore buys what $61,738 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $209,527, 3.6 times the median household income of $57,762.
$209,527typical home value
$57,762median household income
89.3BEA price parity
326,136metro population
Take-home pay in Columbus
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $30,630 | $26,011 | $2,168 |
| Median wage | $43,540 | $35,740 | $2,978 |
| Average wage | $55,130 | $44,474 | $3,706 |
| 75th percentile wage | $64,450 | $51,479 | $4,290 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in Columbus
Management24 jobs
- Chief Executives$246K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$164K
- Marketing Managers$160K
- Financial Managers$157K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$155K
- Human Resources Managers$152K
- Sales Managers$148K
- Purchasing Managers$137K
- Industrial Production Managers$129K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$128K
- Managers, All Other$124K
- Facilities Managers$120K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$116K
- Administrative Services Managers$115K
- General and Operations Managers$110K
- Construction Managers$103K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$103K
- Education Administrators, All Other$102K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$99K
- Social and Community Service Managers$79K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$70K
- Lodging Managers$68K
- Food Service Managers$66K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$48K
Computer and Mathematical14 jobs
- Database Architects$128K
- Computer Network Architects$123K
- Software Developers$119K
- Database Administrators$113K
- Information Security Analysts$110K
- Computer Systems Analysts$104K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$101K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$100K
- Data Scientists$91K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$90K
- Web Developers$77K
- Operations Research Analysts$76K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$75K
- Computer User Support Specialists$57K
Legal3 jobs
Architecture and Engineering9 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical35 jobs
- Dentists, General$230K
- Nurse Anesthetists$222K
- Family Medicine Physicians$211K
- Physicians, All Other$191K
- Pediatricians, General$180K
- Pharmacists$137K
- Optometrists$125K
- Nurse Practitioners$117K
- Physician Assistants$113K
- Veterinarians$107K
- Physical Therapists$100K
- Occupational Therapists$93K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$91K
- Registered Nurses$82K
- Dental Hygienists$78K
- Respiratory Therapists$77K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$76K
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$73K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$73K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$70K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$67K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$64K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$59K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$57K
- Medical Records Specialists$55K
- Surgical Technologists$55K
- Paramedics$54K
- Recreational Therapists$52K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$50K
- Opticians, Dispensing$46K
- Psychiatric Technicians$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$43K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$41K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$38K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$37K
Business and Financial Operations21 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$178K
- Project Management Specialists$100K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$96K
- Management Analysts$91K
- Budget Analysts$88K
- Accountants and Auditors$85K
- Logisticians$83K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$82K
- Compliance Officers$78K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$78K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$74K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$73K
- Human Resources Specialists$72K
- Fundraisers$72K
- Loan Officers$72K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$71K
- Cost Estimators$69K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$62K
- Training and Development Specialists$62K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$54K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$52K
Life, Physical, and Social Science5 jobs
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media6 jobs
Educational Instruction and Library18 jobs
- Instructional Coordinators$91K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$72K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$70K
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$68K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$68K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$67K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$66K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$62K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$62K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46K
- Tutors$45K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$42K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$41K
- Library Technicians$33K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$28K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$27K
Community and Social Service11 jobs
- Social Workers, All Other$89K
- Counselors, All Other$68K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$63K
- Healthcare Social Workers$61K
- Health Education Specialists$60K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$57K
- Clergy$57K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$56K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$52K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$50K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$39K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair22 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$82K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$73K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$71K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$65K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$63K
- Millwrights$63K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$58K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$55K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$54K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$53K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$52K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$52K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$50K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$50K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$50K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$47K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$46K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$46K
- Mechanical Door Repairers$45K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$41K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$34K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$34K
Construction and Extraction14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$70K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$63K
- Electricians$54K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$53K
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$49K
- Glaziers$46K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$46K
- Carpenters$46K
- Sheet Metal Workers$46K
- Roofers$45K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$44K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$41K
- Helpers--Electricians$36K
- Construction Laborers$36K
Protective Service11 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$77K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$76K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$75K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$55K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$53K
- Firefighters$51K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$43K
- Bailiffs$38K
- Security Guards$36K
- School Bus Monitors$28K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27K
Production23 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$77K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$56K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$51K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$49K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$48K
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$48K
- Production Workers, All Other$45K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$42K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$39K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$39K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$38K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$38K
- Helpers--Production Workers$37K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$37K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$36K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$35K
- Printing Press Operators$34K
- Sewing Machine Operators$33K
- Bakers$30K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$27K
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$27K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$103K
- Insurance Sales Agents$89K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$80K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$76K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$74K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$73K
- Advertising Sales Agents$58K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$52K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$49K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$37K
- Parts Salespersons$36K
- Retail Salespersons$31K
- Cashiers$27K
Office and Administrative Support37 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$66K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61K
- Postal Service Clerks$59K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$57K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$56K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$55K
- Procurement Clerks$52K
- Financial Clerks, All Other$51K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$50K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$50K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50K
- Meter Readers, Utilities$49K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$46K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$45K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$44K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$42K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$41K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$40K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$40K
- Data Entry Keyers$40K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$40K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$40K
- Tellers$40K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$40K
- Bill and Account Collectors$39K
- Office Clerks, General$39K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$38K
- Customer Service Representatives$38K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$37K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$37K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$37K
- Order Clerks$37K
- Couriers and Messengers$33K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$33K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$32K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$27K
Transportation and Material Moving16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$52K
- Transportation Workers, All Other$45K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$43K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$40K
- Driver/Sales Workers$39K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$39K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$39K
- Light Truck Drivers$38K
- Bus Drivers, School$37K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$37K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$36K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$35K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$34K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$31K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$28K
Healthcare Support11 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$62K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$54K
- Dental Assistants$43K
- Phlebotomists$41K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$41K
- Medical Assistants$38K
- Nursing Assistants$35K
- Orderlies$33K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$32K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32K
- Pharmacy Aides$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Personal Care and Service15 jobs
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$47K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$44K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$43K
- Residential Advisors$39K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$39K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$35K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$34K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$32K
- Recreation Workers$30K
- Funeral Attendants$30K
- Animal Caretakers$29K
- Concierges$28K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$27K
- Childcare Workers$26K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$25K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$46K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$46K
- Pest Control Workers$38K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$38K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$34K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$32K
- Cooks, Restaurant$31K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29K
- Dishwashers$29K
- Food Preparation Workers$29K
- Bartenders$28K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$28K
- Cooks, Fast Food$26K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$26K
- Waiters and Waitresses$26K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$25K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$25K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Columbus: questions
What is a good salary in Columbus?
Half of all workers in the Columbus metro earn less than $43,540 and the average is $55,130. Earning more than $64,450 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Columbus to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $62,302, because prices here are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.3).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Columbus?
Chief Executives ($246,200), Dentists, General ($230,220), Nurse Anesthetists ($221,880).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Columbus, GA-AL (17980), all occupations and 331 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.