How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Columbia, SC in 2026?
Typical pay for Rad Techs in Columbia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across South Carolina.
BLS OES May 2025 · Columbia metro area
A typical Rad Tech in Columbia, South Carolina earns $35.62 per hour, or $74,080 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,173 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $55,970, and the top 10% of earners make over $96,020.
That pay is 6% above the South Carolina figure of $69,600 and 8% below the national figure of $80,110. Columbia ranks 3rd of 9 metro areas in South Carolina for Rad Tech pay. About 700 Rad Techs work in the Columbia area.
Rad Tech pay in Columbia at a glance
- Typical pay is $35.62 an hour, or $74,080 a year.
- That is 6% above the South Carolina figure, ranking 3rd of 9 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $55,970; the top 10% make over $96,020.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Rad Tech make in Columbia?
Pay in Columbia runs from entry-level positions at around $26.91 an hour to more than $46.16 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the South Carolina and national figures.
Rad Tech pay by career stage in Columbia
| Career stage | Columbia | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $55,970$26.91 an hour | $51,860$24.94 an hour | $55,980$26.91 an hour |
| First years | $61,900$29.76 an hour | $61,900$29.76 an hour | $64,810$31.16 an hour |
| Typical Rad Tech | $74,080$35.62 an hour | $69,600$33.46 an hour | $80,110$38.52 an hour |
| Experienced | $85,180$40.95 an hour | $82,560$39.69 an hour | $98,750$47.47 an hour |
| Top 10% | $96,020$46.16 an hour | $96,020$46.16 an hour | $118,660$57.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Columbia area as BLS defines it
Rad Tech pay growth in Columbia
Typical (median) annual wage for Rad Techs in the Columbia area · BLS OES May estimates, 2019 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2019, typical Rad Tech pay in Columbia was $49,970 a year. By 2025 it had reached $74,080.
How Columbia compares with other South Carolina cities
Gastonia pays Rad Techs the most in South Carolina at $78,950 a year, $4,870 more than Columbia. The lowest-paying area in the state is Richmond County at $64,190.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Columbia | Rad Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gastonia metro incl. Concord | $78,950 | $37.96 | +7% | 2,470 |
| 2 | Myrtle Beach metro incl. Conway · North Myrtle Beach | $75,570 | $36.33 | +2% | 340 |
| 3 | Columbia | $74,080 | $35.62 | this city | 700 |
| 4 | North Charleston metro incl. Charleston | $72,730 | $34.97 | -2% | 640 |
| 5 | Florence | $72,370 | $34.79 | -2% | 160 |
| 6 | Greer metro incl. Greenville · Anderson | $68,700 | $33.03 | -7% | 770 |
| 7 | Spartanburg | $67,040 | $32.23 | -10% | 230 |
| 8 | Bluffton metro incl. Hilton Head Island · Port Royal | $64,620 | $31.07 | -13% | 130 |
| 9 | Richmond County | $64,190 | $30.86 | -13% | 450 |
Every metro area in South Carolina with Rad Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · South Carolina typical pay $69,600
Is Columbia a good place to work as a Rad Tech?
Rad Techs in Columbia earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $74,080 a year, 8% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Columbia area, about 1.8 are Rad Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.5. That makes the local economy more reliant on Rad Techs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Rad Tech make in Columbia, SC?
- A typical Rad Tech in Columbia earns $74,080 a year, or $35.62 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $55,970 and the top 10% earn over $96,020.
- How much does a Rad Tech make an hour in Columbia?
- Typical hourly pay for Rad Techs in Columbia is $35.62. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $26.91, and the top 10% earn over $46.16 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Rad Tech in Columbia?
- Entry-level Rad Tech positions in Columbia typically offer around $26.91 an hour, or $55,970 a year.
- Is Rad Tech pay in Columbia higher than in the rest of South Carolina?
- Columbia pay is 6% above the South Carolina figure of $69,600 a year, ranking 3rd of 9 metro areas in the state. Gastonia pays the most in South Carolina at $78,950.