Helpers--Production Workers salary in Columbia, SC
Helpers--Production Workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $37,320 a year ($17.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,670 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $39,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $36,610. There are 0.79 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $36,400, close to the median.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| 25th percentile | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| Median | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| 75th percentile | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Average (mean) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,110 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,555 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,435.38 |
| Weekly | $717.69 |
| Hourly | $17.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $40,800 | 140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $40,600 | 1,150 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $38,320 | 240 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $36,940 | 480 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,900 | 270 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,000 | 50 |
| Florence, SC | $33,850 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
See Helpers--Production Workers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,010 | $24.53 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $34,140 | $16.42 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers--Production workers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $37,320 a year, or $17.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $46,670 a year. The top 25% earn $40,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,840 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $29,780 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Columbia, SC?
About 310 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.