SOC 19-4092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forensic Science Technicians — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 1 metro areas compared
At $45,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Forensic Science Technicians, 36.2% beneath the national figure of $72,060.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Forensic Science Technicians, 36.2% beneath the national figure of $72,060. Pay ranges from under $38,560 at the tenth percentile to more than $57,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,990 to $47,470.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.16 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Greenville records the highest median at $57,820. Of the 511 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 339th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,560 | −46.5% |
| 25th | $39,990 | −44.5% |
| Median (50th) | $45,990 | −36.2% |
| 75th | $47,470 | −34.1% |
| 90th | $57,990 | −19.5% |
| Mean | $47,770 | −33.7% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville | $57,820 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $45,990 goes as far as $49,082 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 31.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,082US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,990 a year, 36.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,560 to $57,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Greenville, at $57,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $45,990, or $22.11 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $72,060, so pay in Columbia, SC is 36.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbia, SC earns more than $57,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,560 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Greenville, at $57,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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