Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic Salary in Charleston, SC
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $49,120 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,858 take-home, or $3,321 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median automotive service technician and mechanic salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,714
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,045
- Medicare (1.45%)$712
- South Carolina income tax$1,790
- Take-home pay$39,858
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,880 | $16.77 | $29,270 | $2,439 |
| 25th percentile | $38,020 | $18.28 | $31,605 | $2,634 |
| Median (50th) | $49,120 | $23.62 | $39,858 | $3,321 |
| 75th percentile | $64,540 | $31.03 | $51,323 | $4,277 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,480 | $38.21 | $61,132 | $5,094 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,120 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 automotive service technician and mechanic's $39,858 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,478 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 1.4× the national concentration of automotive service technician and mechanic jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for automotive service technicians and mechanics, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, SC ranks #49 of 51 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $77,840 | $59,563 | $53,941 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $72,020 | $56,010 | $52,508 |
| 3 | Milwaukee, WI | $62,530 | $50,453 | $52,047 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $58,700 | $49,345 | $51,221 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $76,030 | $58,458 | $50,564 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $61,510 | $48,881 | $49,950 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $58,190 | $47,138 | $49,573 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $56,150 | $46,535 | $48,743 |
| 49 | Charleston, SC | $49,120 | $39,858 | $39,478 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 51 metros →
About the job: automotive service technicians and mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Columbia, SC — $48,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a automotive service technician and mechanic make in Charleston, SC?
The median automotive service technician and mechanic salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $49,120 a year, or about $23.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,020 and $64,540.
What is a automotive service technician and mechanic’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $49,120 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $39,858 a year ($3,321 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,790 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a automotive service technician and mechanic?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $50,620. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,478 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #49 of 51 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a automotive service technician and mechanic 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) — 49% of a median automotive service technician and mechanic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, SC
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,540