Surgical Technologist salary in Columbia, SC
Surgical Technologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $61,230 a year ($29.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,290 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $64,650. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $62,160. There are 1.1 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,030 | $24.06 |
| 25th percentile | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| Median | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| 75th percentile | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,290 | $35.72 |
| Average (mean) | $61,500 | $29.57 |
Half of surgical technologists 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 | $5,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,355 |
| Weekly | $1,177.50 |
| Hourly | $29.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $67,080 | 260 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $63,570 | 270 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,490 | 1,170 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,050 | 510 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $62,810 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $60,300 | 250 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,920 | 380 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $48,790 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for surgical technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 |
| Oregon | $81,390 |
| California | $81,310 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| Alaska | $80,380 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 |
| New York | $79,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 |
| Washington | $77,270 |
See Surgical Technologist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $65,590 | $31.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2055. 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 surgical technologist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for surgical technologists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $61,230 a year, or $29.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $74,290 a year. The top 25% earn $66,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,030 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $51,590 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Columbia, SC?
About 440 surgical technologists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.