Mechanical Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Mechanical Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $102,280 a year ($49.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,630 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $104,580. There are 1.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $106,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,120 | $34.68 |
| 25th percentile | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Median | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| 75th percentile | $127,220 | $61.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,630 | $72.42 |
| Average (mean) | $106,860 | $51.38 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $8,523.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,261.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,933.85 |
| Weekly | $1,966.92 |
| Hourly | $49.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $128,740 | 980 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $120,070 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $110,820 | 940 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $104,990 | 520 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $104,150 | 40 |
| Florence, SC | $103,800 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,950 | 2,470 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $101,570 | 1,800 |
| Sumter, SC | $101,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Engineers, All Other | $114,560 | $55.08 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $128,340 | $61.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,830 | $62.42 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,290 | $58.31 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| 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 |
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 17-2141. 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 engineer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $102,280 a year, or $49.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $150,630 a year. The top 25% earn $127,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,120 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,550 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Columbia, SC?
About 450 mechanical engineers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.