Electrical Engineer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Electrical Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $110,030 a year ($52.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,450 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $120,630. Pay here is 12% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $98,440. There are 1.5 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,540 | $36.32 |
| 25th percentile | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| Median | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| 75th percentile | $137,340 | $66.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,450 | $78.10 |
| Average (mean) | $114,440 | $55.02 |
Half of electrical 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 | $9,169.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,584.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,231.92 |
| Weekly | $2,115.96 |
| Hourly | $52.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $104,700 | 390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $103,390 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $103,360 | 1,770 |
| Florence, SC | $102,010 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $101,620 | 690 |
| Columbia, SC | $101,320 | 510 |
| Sumter, SC | $94,440 | 60 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $75,020 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,520 |
| California | $144,040 |
| District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| Washington | $132,710 |
| Texas | $129,450 |
| Idaho | $129,340 |
| Massachusetts | $127,720 |
| Delaware | $126,970 |
| Alaska | $125,970 |
See Electrical 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 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Engineers, All Other | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| 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 17-2071. 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 electrical engineer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for electrical engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $110,030 a year, or $52.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $162,450 a year. The top 25% earn $137,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,540 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $82,950 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 590 electrical engineers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.