Engineering Charleston, SC Pop. 150,227

Civil Engineer Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

The median civil engineer salary in Charleston, SC is $89,940 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 12.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$89,940
vs State Avg
+$9,893
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

Civil Engineer Pay in Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

Charleston offers a median civil engineer salary of $89,940, which is $9,893 above the South Carolina state average of $80,047. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Charleston pays above average for this role.

Charleston's cost of living is 100% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for civil engineers in Charleston spans from $60,400 at the 10th percentile to $138,600 at the 90th percentile — a $78,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $62,000, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $130,000. With a population of 150,227, Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $62,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $130,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$62,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$130,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, SC

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $60,400
25th Percentile $73,200
Median (50th) $89,940
75th Percentile $114,000
90th Percentile $138,600

Civil Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$94,437
Pop. 94,171
North Charleston, SC
$85,443
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$82,745
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$80,946
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Charleston

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Charleston

Browse open civil engineer positions in Charleston, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Charleston

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Charleston, SC? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $89,940 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $60,400 (10th percentile) to $138,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,940, a civil engineer in Charleston earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Charleston's median civil engineer salary of $89,940 is 12.4% above the South Carolina state average of $80,047. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $89,940 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Charleston? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Charleston require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.