Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$48,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#41 of 51
13,420 employed here

How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make in South Carolina?

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Carolina take home a median of $48,100 annually — roughly $23.13 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $50,620.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $78,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,430 and $63,610 a year.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$37,430$18.00
50th percentile (median)$48,100$23.13
75th percentile (experienced)$63,610$30.58
90th percentile (top earners)$78,030$37.51

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$68,660
2California$64,980
3Colorado$61,280
4Alaska$60,840
5Massachusetts$60,760

Working as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Carolina

Nationally, about 705,000 people work as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($48,100) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make in South Carolina?
The median Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in South Carolina is $48,100 per year, or about $23.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $78,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics about 5% less than the national median of $50,620. South Carolina ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,100 a year. About 13,420 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.