Columbia, South Carolina, is the state's capital. Columbia is in the center of the state and sits at the confluence of three rivers. It is a short drive away from Lake Murray, a leisure destination.
Top Industries and Employers in Columbia
The top industries in Columbia, which are some of the fastest-growing industries, are:
- Education
- Health care
- Public administration
- Accommodation and food services
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Finance and insurance
- Construction
The largest employers in Columbia include:
- Palmetto Health
- BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Richland County School District One
- Oreck Clean Home Center
- SCE&G
- United Parcel Service
Within those top industries and major employers, some of the highest-paying careers in Columbia are:
- Internists
- Dentists
- Chief executives
- Education administrations (post-secondary)
- Pharmacists
- Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Architectural and engineering managers
Why Is Columbia Good for Trade and Vocational Students?
The city has a robust selection of well-paying careers in some of the top industries in the country.
There are several trade and vocational schools in Columbia — along with universities that offer 2-year degree programs — for students to choose from, and many of them offer degree programs suitable for jobs in the area.
- Southeastern College - Columbia
- Centura College
- Remington College
- Fortis
- Columbia International University
- Columbia College
- Allen University
- Benedict College
- University of Phoenix
- ECPI University
- University of South Carolina
- Midlands Technical College-Columbia
Students looking for careers in the health care industry may pursue degree programs from schools like Southeastern University and Centura College, which have programs ranging from medical assisting to professional clinical massage therapy. Health care is the second largest industry in Columbia, making it an excellent place for vocational students that want to enter the health care industry.
Technical schools in Columbia, like Midlands Technical College and Remington College, offer degree programs in HVAC and other technical industries. Technical services are one of the largest industries in Columbia, so trade students should have access to well-paying jobs through degree programs at technical schools.
Columbia is a great place for vocational students to expand their career options in top industries through technical degree programs. Learn more about South Carolina trade schools for additional insight into education in the state.
Learn More about Columbia
Demographics | Total Population | 133,352 |
Education and Earnings | # Enrolled in College | 20,679 |
| Median Earnings Without High School Degree | $15,975 | |
| Median Earnings With High School Degree | $21,590 | |
| Median Earnings With Associate Degree | $27,629 |
Commute | Average Commute Time | 16 minutes |
| % Commutes by Walking | 21.4% | |
| % Commutes by Bicycle | 0.6% | |
| % Commutes by Public Transportation | 1.7% |
Housing | Median Housing Cost | $938 |
| Median Gross Rent | $910 | |
| Median House Value | $173,400 |