Healthcare Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median medical laboratory technician salary in Columbia, SC is $52,020 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$52,020
vs State Avg
+$578
vs National
$-5,780
Cost of Living
90%

Medical Laboratory Technician Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median medical laboratory technician salary of $52,020, which is $578 above the South Carolina state average of $51,442. Compared to the national median of $57,800, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for medical laboratory technicians in Columbia spans from $34,200 at the 10th percentile to $76,500 at the 90th percentile — a $42,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,000, while senior medical laboratory technicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,800. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level medical laboratory technician earns around $36,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,000
$-4,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,200
$-5,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,800
$-8,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $34,200
25th Percentile $41,400
Median (50th) $52,020
75th Percentile $64,800
90th Percentile $76,500

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$60,690
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$57,800
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$54,910
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$53,176
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician in Columbia

Education

Most medical laboratory technician positions require a associate's degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lab TechniquesHematologyMicrobiologyQuality ControlEquipment OperationData Entry

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical laboratory technician employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in Columbia

Browse open medical laboratory technician positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Columbia

How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median medical laboratory technician salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $52,020 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $57,800. Salaries range from $34,200 (10th percentile) to $76,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,020, a medical laboratory technician in Columbia earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for medical laboratory technician pay? ▼
Columbia's median medical laboratory technician salary of $52,020 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $51,442. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a medical laboratory technician salary of $52,020 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical laboratory technician in Columbia? ▼
Most medical laboratory technician positions in Columbia require a associate's degree. Key skills include Lab Techniques, Hematology, Microbiology, Quality Control. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.