Difference From U.S. Median
-$4,710
Median Hourly Wage
$36.13
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
1,660
Median Pay Rank Among States
33rd of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
The aircraft mechanic salary in South Carolina is $75,160 a year, or $36.13 an hour, based on BLS OEWS wage data from May 2025. That falls below the $79,870 national median for the occupation. Look just across the state line, though, and every neighboring state pays more: North Carolina's median reaches $76,980 and Georgia's sits at $75,640, both ahead of South Carolina's figure.
South Carolina's mechanics aren't left without strong local employers, though. UPS Airlines runs a regional air-cargo hub at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, an $80 million operation with a 44-acre ramp that holds 22 DC-8 aircraft. Pay across the state spans a wide distribution: the tenth percentile earns $45,230 a year while the ninetieth reaches $84,600, the range most South Carolina mechanics fall within.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Carolina by Percentile
| Percentile | South Carolina | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,230 | $48,780 | -$3,550 |
| 25th percentile | $59,360 | $62,630 | -$3,270 |
| Median (50th) | $75,160 | $79,870 | -$4,710 |
| 75th percentile | $81,980 | $99,130 | -$17,150 |
| 90th percentile | $84,600 | $128,890 | -$44,290 |
| Mean (average) | $70,460 | $84,740 | -$14,280 |
Rank among states: 33rd of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Carolina by Metro Area
| Hourly Median | Location Quotient | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,310 | $78,580 | $37.78 | 1.09 |
| Greenville | 510 | $81,450 | $39.16 | 1.32 |
| Charleston | 380 | $81,690 | $39.28 | 1.09 |
| Columbia | 260 | $73,110 | $35.15 | 0.73 |
| Augusta, GA | 80 | $57,840 | $27.81 | 0.38 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in South Carolina
| Occupation | Employed | South Carolina Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,660 | $75,160 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 270 | $81,720 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 440 | $80,490 | $92,100 |
South Carolina Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 1,650 | 1,770 | +7.1% | 140 |
How South Carolina's Pay Compares to Its Neighbors
South Carolina's $75,160 median sits below both adjoining states. North Carolina's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $76,980 a year, $1,820 more than South Carolina's figure. Georgia's median of $75,640 is closer, just $480 ahead. Charlotte, across the North Carolina line, posts a metro median of $78,580, higher than any market inside South Carolina itself.
UPS Airlines and the Columbia Air-Cargo Hub
Columbia Metropolitan Airport hosts a regional air-cargo hub for UPS Airlines, an $80 million operation covering 352,000 square feet with a 44-acre ramp holding 22 DC-8 aircraft. It's one of the state's clearest examples of steady aviation-maintenance employment outside the airline-base model, alongside Boeing's 787 assembly campus in North Charleston and the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base Charleston.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Carolina vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Carolina
FAA-approved schools in South Carolina: 3. Compare South Carolina programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in South Carolina?
Do Neighboring States Pay More Than South Carolina?
What Air-Cargo Jobs Exist for South Carolina Mechanics?
Where Is Aircraft Mechanic Pay Highest in South Carolina?
What's the Difference Between Aircraft Mechanic and Avionics Technician Pay in South Carolina?
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: national, state, metropolitan area, and industry estimates
- Projections Central, State Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
All sources retrieved .