SOC 47-2211 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sheet Metal Workers — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 5 metro areas compared
In Columbia, SC the median wage is $50,170.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbia, SC the median wage is $50,170. That is 18.8% lower than the national median of $61,800. Pay ranges from under $35,470 at the tenth percentile to more than $75,770 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $40,540 to $61,400.
The area has 350 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.14 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Charleston records the highest median at $59,650. Of the 511 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 286th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,470 | −42.6% |
| 25th | $40,540 | −34.4% |
| Median (50th) | $50,170 | −18.8% |
| 75th | $61,400 | −0.6% |
| 90th | $75,770 | +22.6% |
| Mean | $53,060 | −14.1% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $59,650 | 270 | |
| 2 | Spartanburg | $59,220 | 80 | |
| 3 | Florence | $47,880 | 70 | |
| 4 | Myrtle Beach | $47,330 | 40 | |
| 5 | Greenville | $46,060 | 560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $50,170 goes as far as $53,543 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,543US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,170 a year, 18.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,470 to $75,770 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 350 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charleston, at $59,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sheet Metal Workers in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $50,170, or $24.12 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 $61,800, so pay in Columbia, SC is 18.8% 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 $75,770 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,470 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 Charleston, at $59,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 350 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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