Mechanical Engineer salary in South Carolina
Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina earn a median of $104,580 a year ($50.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,340 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $104,110. South Carolina ranks 18th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 2.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $113,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| 25th percentile | $84,810 | $40.78 |
| Median | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| 75th percentile | $133,480 | $64.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,340 | $79.97 |
| Average (mean) | $113,690 | $54.66 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $8,715 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,357.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,022.31 |
| Weekly | $2,011.15 |
| Hourly | $50.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $128,740 | 980 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $120,070 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $110,820 | 940 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $104,990 | 520 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $104,150 | 40 |
| Florence, SC | $103,800 | 130 |
| Columbia, SC | $102,280 | 450 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,950 | 2,470 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $101,570 | 1,800 |
| Sumter, SC | $101,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| 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 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in South Carolina?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in South Carolina is $104,580 a year, or $50.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in South Carolina earn at least $166,340 a year. The top 25% earn $133,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,260 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $84,810 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in South Carolina?
About 5,780 mechanical engineers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.