Machinist salary in Columbia, SC
Machinists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $59,570 a year ($28.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,930 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $57,970. There are 0.62 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $56,610, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| 25th percentile | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Median | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| 75th percentile | $65,950 | $31.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,930 | $36.02 |
| Average (mean) | $56,610 | $27.22 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,291.15 |
| Weekly | $1,145.58 |
| Hourly | $28.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,140 | 370 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,210 | 2,390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,060 | 420 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,280 | 470 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,970 | 1,050 |
| Florence, SC | $56,900 | 160 |
| Sumter, SC | $49,480 | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $46,460 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for machinists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $59,570 a year, or $28.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of machinists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $74,930 a year. The top 25% earn $65,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,350 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $45,820 or less.
How many machinists work in Columbia, SC?
About 240 machinists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.