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Surveying and Mapping Technicians Salary in South Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary really buy you in South Carolina?

South Carolina is 6.4% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$43,740
Median annual (2025)
+6.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$46,730
COL-adjusted (RPP=93.6)

South Carolina Cost of Living Index

South Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 93.6, meaning prices are 6.4% lower the national average. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians earning $43,740 in South Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $46,730 in an average-cost US state.

SC: 93.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $36,500 $38,995 +$2,495
25th Percentile (P25) $38,860 $41,517 +$2,657
Median (P50) $43,740 $46,730 +$2,990
75th Percentile (P75) $55,960 $59,786 +$3,826
90th Percentile (P90) $64,660 $69,081 +$4,421
Key Insight

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in South Carolina earns $43,740 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 7% further — like earning $46,730 in an average-cost state. This makes South Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 93.6

With an RPP of 93.6, South Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Surveying and Mapping Technicians is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+6.8%

After applying South Carolina's RPP, the $43,740 median salary translates to $46,731 in real terms — a 6.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#50 / 50

South Carolina ranks #50 of 50 — bottom quartile for Surveying and Mapping Technicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Surveying and Mapping Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$75,460
RPP 102.0
$74,912
RPP 97.7
$69,431
RPP 112.5
$68,624
RPP 88.7
5. Montana
$66,810
RPP 90.3
6. Iowa
$66,685
RPP 88.4
7. Ohio
$65,934
RPP 91.5
$64,008
RPP 92.3
9. Wyoming
$63,351
RPP 91.9
10. Utah
$63,068
RPP 94.5

South Carolina ranks #50 out of 50 states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Surveying and Mapping Technicians take-home pay in South Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in South Carolina after cost of living?

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in South Carolina earns a median salary of $43,740 per year. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (RPP=93.6), the real purchasing power is $46,730 — a +6.8% difference.

Is South Carolina expensive to live in?

South Carolina's cost of living is 6.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Carolina is 93.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in South Carolina: $43,740 x (100 / 93.6) = $46,730. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in South Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in South Carolina enjoys 6.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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