Technology Charleston, SC Pop. 150,227

QA Engineer Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

The median qa engineer salary in Charleston, SC is $88,200 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 12.6% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$88,200
vs State Avg
+$9,900
vs National
$-1,800
Cost of Living
100%

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

Charleston offers a median qa engineer salary of $88,200, which is $9,900 above the South Carolina state average of $78,300. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Charleston pays below the national benchmark 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 qa engineers in Charleston spans from $53,900 at the 10th percentile to $139,160 at the 90th percentile — a $85,260 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,840, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $132,300. With a population of 150,227, Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $56,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $132,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,840
$-1,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,160
$-1,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$132,300
$-2,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, SC

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $53,900
25th Percentile $70,560
Median (50th) $88,200
75th Percentile $115,640
90th Percentile $139,160

QA Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$92,700
Pop. 94,171
North Charleston, SC
$83,700
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$81,000
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$79,200
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a QA Engineer in Charleston

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Charleston

Browse open qa engineer positions in Charleston, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Charleston

How much does a QA Engineer make in Charleston, SC? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $88,200 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $53,900 (10th percentile) to $139,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $88,200, a qa engineer in Charleston earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Charleston's median qa engineer salary of $88,200 is 12.6% above the South Carolina state average of $78,300. 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 qa engineer salary of $88,200 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Charleston? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Charleston require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.