Quick answer:Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the Columbia area earn a median $65,400 per year, below the national median of $78,190, and the metro employs about 250 of them (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Engineering Technology Pay in Columbia, SC
Metric
Columbia metro
South Carolina
National
Median annual wage
$65,400
$73,450
$78,190
10th percentile
$45,310
$49,470
$49,510
25th percentile
$58,140
$60,400
$61,610
75th percentile
$81,040
$89,320
$97,650
90th percentile
$98,080
$107,590
$115,700
Employment
250
2,060
95,130
Location quotient
1.04
-
1.00
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Columbia median of $65,400 is below the national median of $78,190, and below the South Carolina statewide median of $73,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.04 means electrical and electronic engineering technologists are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Engineering technology roles follow the region’s manufacturing plants, utilities, automation integrators and instrumentation employers rather than the national picture.
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Engineering technology is the degree where accreditation commission matters most. ABET accredits these programs under its Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) rather than the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) that covers BS engineering degrees. That distinction carries into Professional Engineer licensure: state boards differ on whether an ETAC degree qualifies a candidate to sit for the PE exam, whether it requires additional qualifying experience, and how it is treated under comity with other states. The national constants are the ABET accreditation itself and the NCEES exam sequence.
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
How much do electrical and electronic engineering technologists make in Columbia?
The median annual wage for electrical and electronic engineering technologists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $65,400, below the national median of $78,190 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many electrical and electronic engineering technologists work in the Columbia area?
The Columbia, SC metro area employs about 250 electrical and electronic engineering technologists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do electrical and electronic engineering technologists in Columbia need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Engineering technology is the degree where accreditation commission matters most. ABET accredits these programs under its Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) rather than the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) that covers BS engineering degrees. That distinction carries into Professional Engineer licensure: state boards differ on whether an ETAC degree qualifies a candidate to sit for the PE exam, whether it requires additional qualifying experience, and how it is treated under comity with other states. The national constants are the ABET accreditation itself and the NCEES exam sequence. Confirm current requirements with your state engineering licensing board.
Can I study engineering technology online from Columbia?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state engineering licensing board.
Is Columbia a better market than the rest of South Carolina?
The Columbia metro median is $65,400 against a statewide median of $73,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3023), national, state and metropolitan estimates
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
