Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $133,430 a year ($64.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,630 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $125,110. There are 0.69 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,420, close to the median.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| 25th percentile | $105,980 | $50.95 |
| Median | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| 75th percentile | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,630 | $84.92 |
| Average (mean) | $129,420 | $62.22 |
Half of computer hardware 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 | $11,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,559.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,131.92 |
| Weekly | $2,565.96 |
| Hourly | $64.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $129,830 | 70 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $119,670 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $108,480 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for computer hardware engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $185,180 |
| Washington | $169,120 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 |
| Texas | $163,860 |
| New York | $163,470 |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 |
| Hawaii | $159,880 |
| Arizona | $158,280 |
| Colorado | $156,080 |
See Computer Hardware Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $110,830 | $53.29 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Engineers, All Other | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Materials Engineer | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,160 | $34.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2061. 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 computer hardware engineer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $133,430 a year, or $64.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $176,630 a year. The top 25% earn $139,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,780 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $105,980 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 270 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.