Mechanical Engineer Salary in Charleston, SC
Mechanical Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $110,820 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $81,300 take-home, or $6,775 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,550
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,871
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,607
- South Carolina income tax$5,492
- Take-home pay$81,300
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.00% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,970 | $37.00 | $59,517 | $4,960 |
| 25th percentile | $90,050 | $43.29 | $67,934 | $5,661 |
| Median (50th) | $110,820 | $53.28 | $81,300 | $6,775 |
| 75th percentile | $133,580 | $64.22 | $95,710 | $7,976 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,890 | $74.47 | $108,997 | $9,083 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $110,820 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 mechanical engineer's $81,300 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,525 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 mechanical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, SC ranks #56 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 56 | Charleston, SC | $110,820 | $81,300 | $80,525 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Spartanburg, SC — $104,990
- Columbia, SC — $102,280
- Greenville, SC — $101,570
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Charleston, SC?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $110,820 a year, or about $53.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $90,050 and $133,580.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $110,820 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $81,300 a year ($6,775 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,492 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,525 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #56 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical 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) — 24% of a median mechanical 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
- Electrical Engineer — $110,030
- Civil Engineer — $98,740
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $86,370