Trades & Labor North Charleston, SC Pop. 115,382

Machinist Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina

The median machinist salary in North Charleston, SC is $46,427 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$46,427
vs State Avg
+$2,933
vs National
$-2,443
Cost of Living
95%

Machinist Pay in North Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

North Charleston offers a median machinist salary of $46,427, which is $2,933 above the South Carolina state average of $43,494. Compared to the national median of $48,870, North Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

North Charleston's cost of living is 95% 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 machinists in North Charleston spans from $30,400 at the 10th percentile to $70,300 at the 90th percentile — a $39,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,300, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $68,400. With a population of 115,382, North Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in North Charleston by Experience

In North Charleston, an entry-level machinist earns around $32,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $68,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,300
$-1,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$47,500
$-2,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$68,400
$-3,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in North Charleston, SC

Percentile North Charleston
10th Percentile $30,400
25th Percentile $37,050
Median (50th) $46,427
75th Percentile $57,950
90th Percentile $70,300

Machinist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$51,314
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$48,870
Pop. 150,227
Greenville, SC
$44,960
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$43,983
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Machinist in North Charleston

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. North Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in North Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in North Charleston

Browse open machinist positions in North Charleston, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in North Charleston

How much does a Machinist make in North Charleston, SC? ▼
The median machinist salary in North Charleston, South Carolina is $46,427 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $30,400 (10th percentile) to $70,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in North Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $46,427, a machinist in North Charleston earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does North Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for machinist pay? ▼
North Charleston's median machinist salary of $46,427 is 6.7% above the South Carolina state average of $43,494. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in North Charleston, SC? ▼
North Charleston has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $46,427 in North Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in North Charleston? ▼
Most machinist positions in North Charleston require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.