Science & Research North Charleston, SC Pop. 115,382

Physicist Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina

The median physicist salary in North Charleston, SC is $144,809 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$144,809
vs State Avg
+$9,146
vs National
$-7,621
Cost of Living
95%

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

North Charleston offers a median physicist salary of $144,809, which is $9,146 above the South Carolina state average of $135,663. Compared to the national median of $152,430, 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 physicists in North Charleston spans from $74,100 at the 10th percentile to $226,100 at the 90th percentile — a $152,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,900, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $209,000. With a population of 115,382, North Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physicist Salary in North Charleston by Experience

In North Charleston, an entry-level physicist earns around $77,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $209,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,900
$-4,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,250
$-7,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$209,000
$-11,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in North Charleston, SC

Percentile North Charleston
10th Percentile $74,100
25th Percentile $102,600
Median (50th) $144,809
75th Percentile $185,250
90th Percentile $226,100

Physicist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$160,052
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$152,430
Pop. 150,227
Greenville, SC
$140,236
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$137,187
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Physicist in North Charleston

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. North Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Mathematical ModelingExperimental PhysicsPython/MATLABData AnalysisScientific WritingLaboratory Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, physicist 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 Physicist Jobs in North Charleston

Browse open physicist positions in North Charleston, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in North Charleston

How much does a Physicist make in North Charleston, SC? ▼
The median physicist salary in North Charleston, South Carolina is $144,809 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $74,100 (10th percentile) to $226,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in North Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $144,809, a physicist in North Charleston earns approximately $70 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does North Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for physicist pay? ▼
North Charleston's median physicist salary of $144,809 is 6.7% above the South Carolina state average of $135,663. 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 physicist salary of $144,809 in North Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in North Charleston? ▼
Most physicist positions in North Charleston require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Mathematical Modeling, Experimental Physics, Python/MATLAB, Data Analysis. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.