Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Charleston, SC
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $174,040 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $120,937 take-home, or $10,078 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$30,504
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,790
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,524
- South Carolina income tax$9,285
- Take-home pay$120,937
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 6.00% state
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $113,310 | $54.48 | $82,902 | $6,909 |
| 25th percentile | $150,560 | $72.38 | $106,297 | $8,858 |
| Median (50th) | $174,040 | $83.67 | $120,937 | $10,078 |
| 75th percentile | $216,430 | $104.05 | $149,199 | $12,433 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,190 | $106.34 | $152,154 | $12,679 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $174,040 buys in Charleston, SC
Prices in Charleston, SC are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and engineering manager's $120,937 take-home pay has the buying power of $119,785 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charleston, SC has 1.3× the national concentration of architectural and engineering manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for architectural and engineering managers, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, SC ranks #53 of 82 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $212,820 | $147,979 | $162,203 |
| 2 | Albuquerque, NM | $215,120 | $150,853 | $157,885 |
| 3 | Manchester, NH | $212,050 | $157,802 | $149,353 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $234,590 | $152,428 | $138,040 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $204,340 | $152,123 | $136,884 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $203,420 | $143,204 | $136,123 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
| 53 | Charleston, SC | $174,040 | $120,937 | $119,785 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 82 metros →
Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $160,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in Charleston, SC?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $174,040 a year, or about $83.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $150,560 and $216,430.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $174,040 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $120,937 a year ($10,078 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,285 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $119,785 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #53 of 82 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in Charleston, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charleston, SC is $1,630 a month ($1,787 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, SC
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- Financial Manager — $147,170
- Sales Manager — $139,830
- Marketing Manager — $138,790
- Managers, All Other — $136,370
- Industrial Production Manager — $124,060
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $121,990
- General and Operations Manager — $109,260
- Construction Manager — $107,610
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