Civil Engineer Salary in Charleston, SC
Civil Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $98,740 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,526 take-home, or $6,127 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,893
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,122
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,432
- South Carolina income tax$4,767
- Take-home pay$73,526
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,490 | $31.97 | $52,772 | $4,398 |
| 25th percentile | $80,710 | $38.80 | $61,924 | $5,160 |
| Median (50th) | $98,740 | $47.47 | $73,526 | $6,127 |
| 75th percentile | $135,150 | $64.98 | $96,689 | $8,057 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,240 | $80.40 | $116,697 | $9,725 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,740 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 civil engineer's $73,526 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,826 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 civil engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, SC ranks #97 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 97 | Charleston, SC | $98,740 | $73,526 | $72,826 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $102,830
- Columbia, SC — $94,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Charleston, SC?
The median civil engineer salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $98,740 a year, or about $47.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,710 and $135,150.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $98,740 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $73,526 a year ($6,127 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,767 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,826 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #97 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer 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) — 27% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, SC
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $135,410
- Industrial Engineer — $110,830
- Mechanical Engineer — $110,820
- Electrical Engineer — $110,030
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $86,370