Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in Columbia, SC
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $72,830 a year ($35.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,110 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $74,510. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $69,580. There are 0.24 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,800, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Median | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| 75th percentile | $86,740 | $41.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Average (mean) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
Half of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians 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 | $6,069.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,034.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,801.15 |
| Weekly | $1,400.58 |
| Hourly | $35.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $96,610 | 240 |
| Florence, SC | $78,840 | 30 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $72,330 | 210 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $69,580 | 390 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,770 | 280 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,670 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $102,800 |
| New Mexico | $97,560 |
| Missouri | $92,150 |
| California | $87,390 |
| Connecticut | $82,660 |
| Rhode Island | $81,600 |
| Oregon | $80,840 |
| Nebraska | $80,050 |
| Washington | $79,410 |
| Maryland | $79,180 |
See Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,590 | $35.86 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,320 | $29.96 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3027. 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 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $72,830 a year, or $35.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $96,110 a year. The top 25% earn $86,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,990 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn $59,360 or less.
How many mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.