Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $46,330 -6.7% vs national
Median hourly $22.27
10th percentile $28,970
90th percentile $79,110
Employed locally 2,690
National median $49,670

Compare Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary & buying power

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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,970
    25th
    $35,750
    50th (median)
    $46,330
    75th
    $61,420
    90th
    $79,110

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary vs area income 70% Median Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary is 30% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $77,260
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $74,590
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $71,360
    District of Columbia $71,030
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $68,890
    Napa, CA $67,270

    Nearby metros — Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $74,590
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $53,250
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $51,070
    Wisconsin $50,990
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $48,490
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $48,160

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Maintenance and Repair Workers, General $46,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers $72,020
    Industrial Machinery Mechanics $63,620
    Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers $55,880
    Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists $56,390
    Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines $60,050

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in Columbia, SC is $22.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.71 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries?

    The median Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in Columbia, SC is 6.7% below the national median of $49,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in Columbia?

    Entry-level Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (10th percentile) earn around $28,970 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,750.