Traffic Technician salary in Columbia, SC
Traffic Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $57,080 a year ($27.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,680 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $59,090. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $57,080. There are 0.09 traffic technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for traffic technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $53,630 | $25.78 |
| Median | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| 75th percentile | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| Average (mean) | $60,550 | $29.11 |
Half of traffic 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 | $4,756.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,378.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,195.38 |
| Weekly | $1,097.69 |
| Hourly | $27.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Traffic Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $53,500 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for traffic technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $79,110 |
| Minnesota | $77,810 |
| Washington | $71,960 |
| New York | $71,670 |
| Indiana | $71,000 |
| Illinois | $70,970 |
| Iowa | $68,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,610 |
| New Jersey | $64,240 |
| Massachusetts | $63,780 |
See Traffic Technician pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Transportation Inspector | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,800 | $16.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-6041. 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 traffic technician make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for traffic technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $57,080 a year, or $27.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid traffic technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of traffic technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $74,680 a year. The top 25% earn $74,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for traffic technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,770 a year, and a quarter of traffic technicians earn $53,630 or less.
How many traffic technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 30 traffic technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.