Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Systems Analyst in South Carolina is $155,270 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.
However, a Principal Systems Analyst's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered Talent
Principal Systems Analyst Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $163,868 | $13,656 | $3,151 | $79 |
| Average | $155,270 | $12,939 | $2,986 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $145,200 | $12,100 | $2,792 | $70 |
COMPA Industries - Aiken, SC
Eliassen Group - Aiken, SC
ProSidian Consulting, LLC - Aiken, SC
US Government Jobs - Columbia, SC
A Principal Systems Analyst's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Systems Analyst's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Systems A... Level Principal Systems Analyst | $109,533 |
| Systems A... Level Principal Systems Analyst | $128,978 |
| Principal... Level Principal Systems Analyst | $154,638 |
| Systems A... Level Principal Systems Analyst | $124,727 |
| Systems A... Level Principal Systems Analyst | $140,391 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Principal Systems Analysts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Principal Systems Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Principal Systems Analyst positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Systems Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $170,797 | $82.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $170,797 | $82.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $170,797 | $82.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $170,797 | $82.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $170,797 | $82.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Principal Systems Analyst's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $163,868 | $13,656 | $3,151 | $79 |
| Average | $155,270 | $12,939 | $2,986 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $145,200 | $12,100 | $2,792 | $70 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Systems Analyst job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
ClearanceJobs
Columbia, SC
ClearanceJobs | Columbia, SC
Program ManagerThis position is located in the Property Management Branch, Supply and Services Division, United States Property and Fiscal Office (USP&FO).... more
7 Days Ago
Greenwood County Hospital Board
Greenwood, SC
Greenwood County Hospital Board | Greenwood, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Full Time, Day Shift. Clinical Analyst provides implementation and support services to clients in the organization. These... more
7 Days Ago
Columbia Vehicle Group
Aiken, SC
Columbia Vehicle Group | Aiken, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Columbia Vehicle Group designs and manufactures industry-leading, all-electric vehicles for commercial, industrial, and r... more
7 Days Ago
PEMCCO
Hanahan, SC
PEMCCO | Hanahan, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Pay. $42.30 - $63.45 hourly, depending on experience. Benefits. Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Em... more
9 Days Ago
SUNSHINE ENTERPRISE USA LLC
Columbia, SC
SUNSHINE ENTERPRISE USA LLC | Columbia, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Business Analyst – Tax Systems. Location. Columbia, SC Hybrid, up to 2 remote days per week with no back-to-back remote d... more
8 Days Ago
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
MIDDLE WEST, PA
Jazz Pharmaceuticals | MIDDLE WEST, PA
If you are a current Jazz employee please apply via the Internal Career site. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innova... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
