Electrical Engineer Salary in North Charleston, SC: $116,478 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in North Charleston, SC earns a median $116,478/year (≈ $56.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $127,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for electrical engineers in North Charleston reaches a median of $116,478, reflecting a market that has seen careful adjustments based on regional cost factors. This local estimate, derived from BLS state-level data, showcases a salary range that spans from $68,410 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $177,875 at the top end. Compared to the national median of $125,033, the figures indicate that electrical engineers in North Charleston earn approximately 6.84% less than their counterparts across the nation. The job market in this city reflects ongoing demand, presenting engineering professionals with a choice between individual contributor tracks and management pathways, which both significantly influence total compensation potential.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,410 | $32.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,090 | $44.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,478 | $56.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,512 | $70.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,875 | $85.52 |
Median Salary Position
6.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,465 (2026 est.). At $116,478, the local median is 6.84% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Charleston Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $116,478/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $105,314 | +10.60% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -6.84% less |
Electrical Engineers in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $116,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.84% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 10.60% above the South Carolina state average of $105,314.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $116,478 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,298 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,788
2025 BLS Actual
$112,376
2026 Current Est.
$116,478
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,931 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,632 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,273 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,376 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,478 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $91,788 (2019) to $112,376 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,941 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,410 – $92,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,090 – $116,478 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,478 – $147,512 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,512 – $177,875 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in North Charleston
In analyzing the electrical engineer pay in North Charleston, it’s crucial to consider the local employment context, with only 22 engineers currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that salaries may stretch further here compared to many national metropolises. Major employers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are known for competitive salaries in cleared positions, while tech giants such as Apple and Intel lead the way in the semiconductor sector. This industry commands a premium due to high demand for specialized skills. The compensation gaps seen locally can be attributed to industry variances and the impact of security clearances, advanced degrees, and the choice between technical and managerial roles. For those aiming to maximize pay in this market, enhancing qualifications through certifications like PE or focusing on chip design roles could offer significant advantages in a dynamic job landscape in North Charleston, SC.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in North Charleston, SC in 2026?
Is North Charleston, SC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in North Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in North Charleston?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in North Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $112,376 for electrical engineersin the North Charleston metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for North Charleston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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