Mechanical Engineers Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,260
- 25th Percentile — Junior$84,810
- 50th Percentile — Median$104,580
- 75th Percentile — Senior$133,480
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$166,340
Half of Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina earn more than $104,580. The top 10% make $166,340 or more, while entry-level workers start around $74,260.
Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 17th of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers pay, at $113,690 per year (0.1% above the U.S. average of $113,610).
- 5,780 people work as Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina — 1.9% of all U.S. Mechanical Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.31: Mechanical Engineers jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,260; the top 10% earn over $166,340.
- Hourly equivalent: $54.66 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $152,430.
- Among engineering jobs in South Carolina, Aerospace Engineers pays the most ($131,390).
Mechanical 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. Mechanical Engineers here earn $113,690 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $113,690 is roughly equivalent to $129,193 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($117,060), New Jersey ($116,640), Oregon ($115,090) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Aerospace Engineers $131,390/yr South Carolina +15.6% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $125,440/yr South Carolina +10.3% vs this role
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects $125,430/yr South Carolina +10.3% vs this role
- Computer Hardware Engineers $124,320/yr South Carolina +9.3% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $119,130/yr South Carolina +4.8% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $116,020/yr South Carolina +2.0% vs this role
- Civil Engineers $107,000/yr South Carolina 5.9% vs this role
- Chemical Engineers $106,920/yr South Carolina 6.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in South Carolina?
The average Mechanical Engineers salary in South Carolina is $113,690 per year (median $104,580), which is 0.1% above the national average of $113,610.
How does South Carolina rank for Mechanical Engineers pay?
South Carolina ranks 17th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($152,430/yr).
How much do entry-level Mechanical Engineers make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina earn about $74,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $84,810.
How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in South Carolina?
About $54.66 per hour, based on the $113,690 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mechanical Engineers work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 5,780 Mechanical Engineers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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