Surgical Technologist Salary in Columbia, SC
Surgical Technologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $61,230 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,862 take-home, or $4,072 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median surgical technologist salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,168
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,796
- Medicare (1.45%)$888
- South Carolina income tax$2,517
- Take-home pay$48,862
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Surgical Technologist pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,030 | $24.05 | $40,534 | $3,378 |
| 25th percentile | $51,590 | $24.80 | $41,694 | $3,475 |
| Median (50th) | $61,230 | $29.44 | $48,862 | $4,072 |
| 75th percentile | $66,760 | $32.10 | $52,947 | $4,412 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,290 | $35.72 | $57,793 | $4,816 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,230 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median surgical technologist's $48,862 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,168 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, SC has 1.5× the national concentration of surgical technologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for surgical technologists, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #45 of 57 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $106,840 | $76,896 | $69,638 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $79,990 | $65,103 | $63,152 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $99,390 | $72,445 | $62,662 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $77,440 | $59,724 | $62,314 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $73,810 | $60,755 | $61,954 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $74,200 | $61,030 | $60,899 |
| 7 | Boise City, ID | $76,650 | $59,799 | $60,777 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $74,830 | $58,887 | $60,748 |
| 45 | Columbia, SC | $61,230 | $48,862 | $52,168 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 57 metros →
Surgical Technologist salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $63,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical technologist make in Columbia, SC?
The median surgical technologist salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $61,230 a year, or about $29.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,590 and $66,760.
What is a surgical technologist’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $61,230 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $48,862 a year ($4,072 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,517 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $64,650. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,168 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #45 of 57 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a surgical technologist afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median surgical technologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $228,820
- Pharmacist — $133,850
- Nurse Practitioner — $118,470
- Physical Therapist — $99,840
- Dental Hygienist — $82,370
- Registered Nurse — $81,920
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $74,080
- Medical Records Specialist — $62,650
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,110
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $55,280
- Paramedic — $53,160