SOC 17-3029 · Columbia, SC metro

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other Salary in Columbia, SC

The average salary for other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) in Columbia, South Carolina is $86,430 a year ($41.55 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $93,640: half of the 40 people in this job in the Columbia, SC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($80,960).

$86,430average per year

$41.55 / hourMedian $93,640Take-home ≈ $66,218

  • $66K10th
  • $78K25th
  • $94KMedian
  • $96K75th
  • $96K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

40people in this job
+7%vs U.S. average
#3 of 4South Carolina metros
94cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other pay range in Columbia

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,580 a year or less, while the top 10% make $96,450 or more. The middle half of other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) in Columbia earn between $78,030 and $96,450.

  • $66K10th
  • $78K25th
  • $94KMedian
  • $96K75th
  • $96K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$86,430$7,202$41.55
Median$93,640$7,803$45.02
Entry level (25th percentile)$78,030$6,502$37.51
Experienced (75th percentile)$96,450$8,038$46.37

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other pay in Columbia vs. South Carolina and the U.S.

Other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) in Columbia earn 6% more than the South Carolina average ($81,290) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($80,960). At the median the gap is +20% against the U.S. median of $78,350.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Columbia$86,430$93,640$65,580$96,45040
South Carolina$81,290$80,540$49,050$103,760620
United States$80,960$78,350$47,030$118,33059,930

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other salary after taxes in Columbia

On the average salary of $86,430, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $66,218 a year, or $5,518 a month and $2,547 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

South Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Columbia a good place for other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Columbia area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.7), so the average $86,430 buys what about $92,279 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($46,430). A typical home costs $256,154, or 3.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $86,430 is worth in another city

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other salary in other South Carolina cities

Columbia ranks 3rd of 4 South Carolina metro areas for this job; Charleston pays the most ($87,760).

All Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other salaries in South Carolina

Highest-paying cities for other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters)

Bremerton, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($108,690).

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other in Columbia, SC.

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other salary in Columbia: questions

How much do other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) make an hour in Columbia?

$41.55 an hour on average, and $45.02 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) salary in Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,580 a year and the 25th percentile is $78,030, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) take-home pay in Columbia?

About $66,218 a year ($5,518 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $86,430.

Do other engineering technologists and technicians (except drafters) earn more in Columbia than elsewhere?

The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($80,960).

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. SOC code 17-3029; area Columbia, SC (17900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.1%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.25, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.25).

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