Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in South Carolina is $69,580/year ($33.45/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.17), which stretches that salary to about $74,681 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,263/month, or 27.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $70K get you in South Carolina?
About mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
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What this looks like in South Carolina
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians pay in South Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $70K locally vs. $75K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,263/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.17 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Carolina
Entry-level mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary by metro in South Carolina
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $79K | +13% | 30 |
| Columbia | $73K | +5% | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $72K | +4% | 210 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $70K | +0% | 390 |
| Spartanburg | $62K | -11% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineering technologists and technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $70K, rent takes 27.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,263/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in South Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,961/month. At HUD’s $1,263/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mechanical engineering technologists and technician a high-paying job in South Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $70K locally vs. $75K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians?
South Carolina pays $70K median vs. the U.S. average of $75K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in South Carolina?
The median is $69,580 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,350, and experienced mechanical engineering technologists and technicians can clear $96,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,542/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary go in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 93.17 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary is worth about $74,681 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.