Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in South Carolina
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Carolina earn a median of $48,100 a year ($23.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,030 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $50,620. South Carolina ranks 41st of 51 states for automotive service technicians and mechanics pay. There are 5.8 automotive service technicians and mechanics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for automotive service technicians and mechanics in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| Median | $48,100 | $23.12 |
| 75th percentile | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| Average (mean) | $52,420 | $25.20 |
Half of automotive service technicians and mechanics 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 | $4,008.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,004.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,850 |
| Weekly | $925 |
| Hourly | $23.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $53,660 | 7,990 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $50,920 | 560 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $49,120 | 2,510 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $48,730 | 1,260 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $48,610 | 970 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $48,120 | 2,310 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,080 | 2,500 |
| Sumter, SC | $46,500 | 190 |
| Florence, SC | $46,130 | 600 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $45,360 | 1,040 |
Highest-paying states for automotive service technicians and mechanics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,660 |
| California | $64,980 |
| Colorado | $61,280 |
| Alaska | $60,840 |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 |
| Connecticut | $60,220 |
| Virginia | $59,330 |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 |
| Montana | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,520 |
See Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| Bicycle Repairer | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $75,120 | $36.12 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-3023. 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 automotive service technicians and mechanics make in South Carolina?
The median salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in South Carolina is $48,100 a year, or $23.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid automotive service technicians and mechanics make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of automotive service technicians and mechanics in South Carolina earn at least $78,030 a year. The top 25% earn $63,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of automotive service technicians and mechanics earn $37,430 or less.
How many automotive service technicians and mechanics work in South Carolina?
About 13,420 automotive service technicians and mechanics are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.