Mechanical Engineers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $107,140 +4.7% vs national
Median hourly $51.51
10th percentile $73,470
90th percentile $140,410
Employed locally 790
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $73,470
    25th
    $86,970
    50th (median)
    $107,140
    75th
    $131,600
    90th
    $140,410

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 130% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 30% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $122,920
    Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC $120,070
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $111,940
    Tuscaloosa, AL $110,030
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $104,150

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,880
    Industrial Engineers $105,510
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $83,080
    Engineers, All Other $126,170
    Electrical Engineers $114,880
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $134,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Charleston, SC is $51.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.46 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Charleston, SC is 4.7% above the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Charleston?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $73,470 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,970.