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Average salary by job family in Columbus
| Management | $136,640 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $111,980 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $110,300 |
| Legal | $108,170 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $94,990 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $81,470 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $73,890 |
| Construction and Extraction | $65,230 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $60,770 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $54,030 |
| Community and Social Service | $53,270 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $52,510 |
| Production | $51,730 |
| Protective Service | $49,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $47,500 |
| Sales and Related | $46,550 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $43,030 |
| Healthcare Support | $38,990 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $37,310 |
| Personal Care and Service | $33,120 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $30,960 |
Highest-paying jobs in Columbus
- Physicians, All Other$329,280
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$187,750
- Marketing Managers$153,640
- Financial Managers$150,030
- Lawyers$149,200
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$145,580
- Administrative Services Managers$136,840
- Sales Managers$136,800
- Industrial Production Managers$135,910
- Managers, All Other$135,450
Most common jobs in Columbus and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 2,980 | $46,400 | $46,950 |
| Retail Salespersons | 1,500 | $32,710 | $29,840 |
| Machinists | 1,470 | $60,160 | $61,230 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 1,440 | $28,300 | $28,290 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 1,310 | $40,350 | $38,510 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 1,000 | $121,030 | $127,700 |
| Industrial Engineers | 910 | $113,440 | $97,480 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 900 | $53,250 | $49,030 |
| Cashiers | 900 | $29,770 | $29,280 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 810 | $33,480 | $32,130 |
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Cost of living in Columbus
Prices in the Columbus area are 7% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 93.0 for 2024. The average local salary of $61,800 therefore buys what $66,449 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $277,164, 3.4 times the median household income of $80,365.
$277,164typical home value
$80,365median household income
93.0BEA price parity
82,881metro population
Take-home pay in Columbus
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,830 | $30,071 | $2,506 |
| Median wage | $48,470 | $38,871 | $3,239 |
| Average wage | $61,800 | $48,948 | $4,079 |
| 75th percentile wage | $72,880 | $56,687 | $4,724 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Columbus's local income tax (1.75%).
Salaries for every job in Columbus
Management17 jobs
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$188K
- Marketing Managers$154K
- Financial Managers$150K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$146K
- Administrative Services Managers$137K
- Sales Managers$137K
- Industrial Production Managers$136K
- Managers, All Other$135K
- General and Operations Managers$135K
- Human Resources Managers$124K
- Facilities Managers$124K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$113K
- Construction Managers$111K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$97K
- Food Service Managers$77K
- Social and Community Service Managers$73K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$67K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical11 jobs
Architecture and Engineering8 jobs
- Mechanical Engineers$121K
- Chemical Engineers$116K
- Industrial Engineers$113K
- Electrical Engineers$102K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$81K
- Mechanical Drafters$68K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$62K
Legal2 jobs
Computer and Mathematical8 jobs
Business and Financial Operations15 jobs
- Management Analysts$116K
- Personal Financial Advisors$101K
- Logisticians$99K
- Project Management Specialists$97K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$90K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$84K
- Accountants and Auditors$83K
- Cost Estimators$79K
- Compliance Officers$79K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$77K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$76K
- Loan Officers$69K
- Human Resources Specialists$68K
- Training and Development Specialists$59K
- Labor Relations Specialists$56K
Life, Physical, and Social Science3 jobs
Construction and Extraction11 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$81K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$78K
- Electricians$72K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$71K
- Sheet Metal Workers$69K
- Carpenters$67K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$59K
- Roofers$57K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$56K
- Construction Laborers$53K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$48K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$77K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$66K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$65K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$63K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$60K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$58K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$57K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$56K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$51K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$35K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media3 jobs
Community and Social Service5 jobs
Educational Instruction and Library3 jobs
Production23 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76K
- Tool and Die Makers$68K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$64K
- Machinists$60K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$53K
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$49K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44K
- Helpers--Production Workers$43K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$42K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$40K
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$40K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39K
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$38K
- Bakers$36K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$30K
Protective Service4 jobs
Office and Administrative Support18 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$69K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$63K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$62K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$62K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$57K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$56K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$48K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$47K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$47K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$46K
- Customer Service Representatives$46K
- Office Clerks, General$46K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$44K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$43K
- Tellers$39K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$36K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$32K
Sales and Related11 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$122K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$94K
- Insurance Sales Agents$87K
- Real Estate Brokers$81K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$75K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$75K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$50K
- Parts Salespersons$40K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$39K
- Retail Salespersons$33K
- Cashiers$30K
Transportation and Material Moving13 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$114K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$57K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$44K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$44K
- Light Truck Drivers$41K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$37K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$35K
- Driver/Sales Workers$34K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$33K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$33K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$32K
Healthcare Support5 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance3 jobs
Personal Care and Service4 jobs
Food Preparation and Serving Related10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$46K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35K
- Cooks, Restaurant$33K
- Food Preparation Workers$32K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$32K
- Waiters and Waitresses$30K
- Bartenders$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$28K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$27K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$27K
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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 $48,470 and the average is $61,800. Earning more than $72,880 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 $64,888, because prices here are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.0).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Columbus?
Physicians, All Other ($329,280), Architectural and Engineering Managers ($187,750), Marketing Managers ($153,640).
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, IN (18020), all occupations and 187 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 (2025 rules). Includes Columbus's local income tax (1.75%).
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