Computer Programmer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Computer Programmers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $107,770 a year ($51.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,950 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 8% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $99,740. There are 0.40 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $115,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,040 | $34.64 |
| 25th percentile | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Median | $107,770 | $51.81 |
| 75th percentile | $135,250 | $65.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,950 | $68.25 |
| Average (mean) | $115,960 | $55.75 |
Half of computer programmers 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 | $8,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,490.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,145 |
| Weekly | $2,072.50 |
| Hourly | $51.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $99,520 | 130 |
| Columbia, SC | $98,490 | 190 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $91,180 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $84,720 | 670 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $132,150 | $63.54 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $97,480 | $46.86 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Computer Network Architect | $137,930 | $66.31 |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,310 | $53.03 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $126,860 | $60.99 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $99,250 | $47.71 |
| Database Administrator | $98,180 | $47.20 |
| Database Architect | $129,640 | $62.33 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| Web Developer | $82,740 | $39.78 |
More: Computer and Mathematical 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 15-1251. 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 programmer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $107,770 a year, or $51.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $141,950 a year. The top 25% earn $135,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,040 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $99,720 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 160 computer programmers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.