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Average Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other Salary in Columbia, SC

In Columbia, SC, Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, earn an average annual salary of $57,770. This figure is notably below the national average of $64,860, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially lower demand contribute to this compensation difference. The specific economic landscape of Columbia influences the earning potential for these specialized roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $57,770 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.8% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $78,420.
  • Outlook: The local workforce for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, comprises 430 individuals. With a Location Quotient of 2.38, this indicates a significant concentration of these professionals in Columbia compared to the national average. This high concentration suggests a robust local demand or a specialized industry presence that supports a larger-than-average segment of this workforce.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$57,770

The average Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other in Columbia, SC earns-10.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$27.8

Weekly

$1,111

Monthly

$4,814

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other Salary Distribution in Columbia, SC

Career progression for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, in Columbia, SC, typically sees a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior technicians with extensive expertise and specialized skills can command salaries well into the higher percentiles, reflecting their value and contribution to research and development.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$35,450$17
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$43,328$20.8
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$53,960$25.9
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$72,213$34.7
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$78,420$37.7

Detailed Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$57,770

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$57,770

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $57,770 in Columbia, SC, aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of this salary is equivalent to the national average, indicating that while the salary is below the national average for the role, the cost of living does not exacerbate this difference, offering a balanced financial standing for residents.

Job Market Context

430

Total Jobs

1.103

Per 1K Jobs

2.38

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Columbia, SC has 2.4x the national concentration of Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Columbia, SC, exhibits a strong concentration of Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, with a Location Quotient of 2.38. This significantly higher-than-average concentration suggests that the job market in this area is particularly favorable for these professionals, potentially indicating specialized industries or research institutions that drive demand and employment opportunities for this specific occupational group.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

Comparing salaries near Columbia, SC

Hiring Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Others?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other make in Columbia, SC?

The median annual salary for a Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other in Columbia, SC is $57,770. This typically ranges from $35,450 for entry-level positions to $78,420 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Columbia, SC is 10.9% lower than the national median of $64,860.

Is Columbia, SC a lucrative place for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Others?

No, but it is concentrated.While the average salary of $57,770 is below the national average, the high Location Quotient of 2.38 indicates a strong presence and potential demand for these roles within the local market.

Is Columbia, SC a good place to live for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Others?

The Cost of Living Index in Columbia, SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Columbia, SC?

Some top paying nearby cities include Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($61,790) and Florence, SC.

How does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers compare nationally?

With 1.103 jobs per 1,000 workers, Columbia, SC, shows a specific density of Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, that can be compared to national benchmarks to understand local employment prevalence.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for this role in Columbia?

An LQ of 2.38 signifies that Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, are more than twice as concentrated in Columbia, SC, compared to the national average, suggesting a specialized industry or higher local demand.

Does the Cost of Living in Columbia affect the perceived value of the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local purchasing power of the $57,770 salary is equivalent to the national average, meaning the salary's value is not diminished by higher living expenses in Columbia.

How does the total local workforce size impact job prospects?

A local workforce of 430 for this specific role indicates a moderately sized but concentrated segment of the job market, suggesting that while opportunities exist, they may be within a defined set of employers or industries.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 430 employees in the Columbia, SC area with a job density of 1.103 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.