Engineering North Charleston, SC Pop. 115,382

Petroleum Engineer Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina

The median petroleum engineer salary in North Charleston, SC is $125,210 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$125,210
vs State Avg
+$7,908
vs National
$-6,590
Cost of Living
95%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in North Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

North Charleston offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $125,210, which is $7,908 above the South Carolina state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 petroleum engineers in North Charleston spans from $76,000 at the 10th percentile to $191,900 at the 90th percentile — a $115,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,800, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,250. With a population of 115,382, North Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in North Charleston by Experience

In North Charleston, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $79,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,300
$-6,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$185,250
$-9,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in North Charleston, SC

Percentile North Charleston
10th Percentile $76,000
25th Percentile $96,900
Median (50th) $125,210
75th Percentile $159,600
90th Percentile $191,900

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in North Charleston

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in North Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in North Charleston

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in North Charleston, SC:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in North Charleston

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in North Charleston, SC? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in North Charleston, South Carolina is $125,210 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $76,000 (10th percentile) to $191,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in North Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $125,210, a petroleum engineer in North Charleston earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does North Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
North Charleston's median petroleum engineer salary of $125,210 is 6.7% above the South Carolina state average of $117,302. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $125,210 in North Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in North Charleston? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in North Charleston require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.