Firefighters pay in Columbia

In Columbia (SC), the median pay for firefighters is $17.77 an hour ($36,960 a year). About 1,060 people work in this job there.

$17.77Median hourly pay
$34,740–$46,140Middle half of workers, yearly
1,060People in this job in Columbia (SC)

That is 38% lower than the U.S. median ($59,280). It is 13% lower than the South Carolina median ($42,570).

Pay range for firefighters in Columbia (SC)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$14.16$29,460
25% of workers$16.70$34,740
Half of workers (median)$17.77$36,960
75% of workers$22.18$46,140
90% of workers$23.67$49,240

Firefighters pay in South Carolina metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal$50,210640
Charleston-North Charleston$46,8301,470
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach$45,890820
Sumter$43,89090
Greenville-Anderson-Greer$39,9801,290
Columbia (this page)$36,9601,060
Spartanburg$36,360620
Florence$32,570340

South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for firefighters

  • Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +3.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 26,800 openings a year (BLS)

Other job titles for this job

Airport FirefighterCrash Fire FirefighterFire Apparatus EngineerFire Chief AideFire Engine Pump OperatorFire EngineerFire Equipment OperatorFire Hydrant OperatorFire Management SpecialistFire MedicFire Rescue TechnicianFire Rescue Tech

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.