BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Materials Engineers in South Carolina

$116,020 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$55.78 per hour

▼ 3.5% below U.S. average22nd of 45 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$116,020per year
Median$121,610per year
Hourly$55.78per hour
10th – 90th percentile$75,550 – $158,940per year

Materials Engineers Pay Range in South Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$75,550
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$92,240
  • 50th Percentile — Median$121,610
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$131,080
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$158,940

Half of Materials Engineers in South Carolina earn more than $121,610. The top 10% make $158,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $75,550.

Materials Engineers in South Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Carolina ranks 22nd of 45 states for Materials Engineers pay, at $116,020 per year (3.5% below the U.S. average of $120,250).
  • 600 people work as Materials Engineers in South Carolina — 2.6% of all U.S. Materials Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.77: Materials Engineers jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $75,550; the top 10% earn over $158,940.
  • Hourly equivalent: $55.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $173,000.
  • Among engineering jobs in South Carolina, Aerospace Engineers pays the most ($131,390).

Materials Engineers Job Market in South Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Materials Engineers here earn $116,020 on average, placing the state 22nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $116,020 is roughly equivalent to $131,841 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($116,720), Ohio ($116,620), Arizona ($116,520) are the closest alternatives for Materials Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Materials Engineers salary in South Carolina?

The average Materials Engineers salary in South Carolina is $116,020 per year (median $121,610), which is 3.5% below the national average of $120,250.

How does South Carolina rank for Materials Engineers pay?

South Carolina ranks 22nd out of 45 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($173,000/yr).

How much do entry-level Materials Engineers make in South Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Engineers in South Carolina earn about $75,550 per year and the 25th percentile is $92,240.

How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in South Carolina?

About $55.78 per hour, based on the $116,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Materials Engineers work in South Carolina?

BLS counts 600 Materials Engineers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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