Aerospace Engineer salary in South Carolina
Aerospace Engineers in South Carolina earn a median of $137,030 a year ($65.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,150 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $134,960. South Carolina ranks 13th of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay. There are 0.28 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $131,390, close to the median.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,460 | $39.16 |
| 25th percentile | $102,280 | $49.17 |
| Median | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| 75th percentile | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,150 | $81.80 |
| Average (mean) | $131,390 | $63.17 |
Half of aerospace engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,419.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,709.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,270.38 |
| Weekly | $2,635.19 |
| Hourly | $65.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Aerospace Engineer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $137,030 | 340 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,830 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $102,280 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for aerospace engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $159,060 |
| Washington | $158,370 |
| California | $157,620 |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 |
| Maryland | $156,750 |
| Colorado | $156,190 |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 |
| Vermont | $144,400 |
| Virginia | $143,210 |
| Georgia | $140,460 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $113,720 | $54.67 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $125,110 | $60.15 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,610 | $58.47 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $99,130 | $47.66 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $136,990 | $65.86 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aerospace engineer make in South Carolina?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in South Carolina is $137,030 a year, or $65.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in South Carolina earn at least $170,150 a year. The top 25% earn $160,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,460 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $102,280 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in South Carolina?
About 650 aerospace engineers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.