Quick answer:Computer Network Architects in the Columbia area earn a median $125,510 per year, below the national median of $134,050, and the metro employs about 270 of them (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Information Technology Pay in Columbia, SC
Metric
Columbia metro
South Carolina
National
Median annual wage
$125,510
$134,990
$134,050
10th percentile
$84,010
$82,060
$79,900
25th percentile
$100,160
$107,970
$104,620
75th percentile
$156,710
$168,620
$168,200
90th percentile
$162,990
$185,160
$202,680
Employment
270
1,950
179,740
Location quotient
0.6
-
1.00
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Columbia median of $125,510 is below the national median of $134,050, and below the South Carolina statewide median of $134,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.6 means computer network architects are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Network and systems roles cluster around technology, finance and healthcare employers, and the field supports remote work heavily, so local counts understate the reachable market.
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Information technology is not licensed. Certification carries the weight employers screen on, from CompTIA at the foundational tier through vendor tracks and (ISC)2 CISSP on the security side. The degree supplies the architecture and systems grounding that certification alone does not.
See the South Carolina licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with the certifying bodies and employers you are targeting.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
How much do computer network architects make in Columbia?
The median annual wage for computer network architects in the Columbia, SC metro area is $125,510, below the national median of $134,050 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many computer network architects work in the Columbia area?
The Columbia, SC metro area employs about 270 computer network architects (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do computer network architects in Columbia need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Information technology is not licensed. Certification carries the weight employers screen on, from CompTIA at the foundational tier through vendor tracks and (ISC)2 CISSP on the security side. The degree supplies the architecture and systems grounding that certification alone does not. Confirm current requirements with the certifying bodies and employers you are targeting.
Can I study information technology online from Columbia?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies the certifying bodies and employers you are targeting.
Is Columbia a better market than the rest of South Carolina?
The Columbia metro median is $125,510 against a statewide median of $134,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Computer Network Architects (SOC 15-1241), national, state and metropolitan estimates
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
