Electrical Engineer Salary in South Carolina: $106,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $106,782/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $116,702 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($112,376), Charleston ($110,030), Greer ($104,071).
In 2026, electrical engineers in South Carolina are expected to earn an average median salary of $106,781, which is 14.6% lower than the national median of $125,033. The salary variance across cities is significant, with North Charleston offering the highest salary at $116,478, while Bluffton presents the lowest at $76,281. This $40,197 difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for specific engineering skills, and the concentration of industries in various metro areas. In South Carolina, electrical engineers must adhere to state licensing requirements, which can influence job prospects and earning potential. The state's economy is increasingly reliant on the manufacturing and technology sectors, driving demand for skilled engineers. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, the job market for electrical engineers is on an upward trend, indicating solid career opportunities ahead. In addition to North Charleston, other cities like Charleston ($114,046), Greer ($107,870), Anderson ($107,760), and Spartanburg ($107,164) offer competitive salaries and reflect the overall demand for electrical engineering expertise in the region. Understanding these dynamics is key for anyone considering a career in this field in South Carolina.
South Carolina Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $50,946 (lowest entry-level) to $177,875 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina electrical engineers earn 14.6% less than the national median ($-18,251/year difference).
South Carolina Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in South Carolina range from $75,538 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $163,294 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,782. The South Carolina median is $18,251 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $51.34/hr. Approximately 2,226 electrical engineers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,899
2025 BLS Actual
$103,021
2026 Current Est.
$106,782
2019–2027 Growth
+28.8%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,437 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,535 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,021 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 19.9% from $85,899 (2019) to $103,021 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,780 (28.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bluffton | $76,281 |
| Hilton Head Island | $77,758 |
| Clemson | $96,994 |
| Tega Cay | $97,176 |
| Conway | $97,183 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $116,478 | 91.5 | $127,298 |
| Florence | $105,733 | 86.774 | $121,849 |
| Greer | $107,870 | 91.5 | $117,891 |
| Anderson | $107,760 | 91.5 | $117,770 |
| Spartanburg | $107,164 | 91.051 | $117,697 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,538 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,782 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $163,294 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $116,478 |
| 2 | Charleston | $114,046 |
| 3 | Greer | $107,870 |
| 4 | Anderson | $107,760 |
| 5 | Spartanburg | $107,164 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $106,875 |
| 7 | Florence | $105,733 |
| 8 | Greenville | $105,329 |
| 9 | Columbia | $105,018 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $104,905 |
| 11 | Aiken | $104,446 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $104,299 |
| 13 | Mauldin | $103,685 |
| 14 | Myrtle Beach | $103,612 |
| 15 | Summerville | $103,129 |
| 16 | Simpsonville | $101,429 |
| 17 | Fort Mill | $101,382 |
| 18 | Goose Creek | $101,144 |
| 19 | Lexington | $99,488 |
| 20 | Sumter | $97,887 |
| 21 | Easley | $97,714 |
| 22 | Conway | $97,183 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $97,176 |
| 24 | Clemson | $96,994 |
| 25 | Hilton Head Island | $77,758 |
| 26 | Bluffton | $76,281 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in South Carolina?
How many electrical engineers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov