Overview Salaries

Salaries in Charleston, SC

Updated on Aug 21, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Charleston, SC?

The average salary in Charleston, SC is $61,553 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Charleston, SC, showing an average salary of $61,553 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Charleston, SC, showing an average salary of $5,129 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Charleston, SC, showing an average salary of $1,184 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Charleston, SC, showing an average salary of $30 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Charleston, SC offers a variety of job opportunities with competitive salaries across different sectors. The average yearly salary in Charleston stands at $61,553, making it an attractive location for job seekers. Some of the highest-paying jobs include roles in finance, IT, and healthcare.


Key industries in Charleston contributing to these salaries include healthcare, finance, and education. Workers in healthcare earn around $98,273 per year, while those in finance see salaries as high as $127,182 annually. IT professionals also benefit from higher-than-average pay, with salaries reaching up to $156,091. These figures highlight the strong earning potential available in Charleston for skilled professionals.

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What are the best paying jobs in Charleston, SC?

Charleston, SC, offers several high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Physicians top the list with an average salary of $291,866. This high demand for medical expertise reflects the city's strong healthcare sector. Other well-compensated roles include Owner Operators, Paramedics, and Nurse Practitioners, all earning over $100,000 annually. For those with technical and legal expertise, roles such as Pharmacist, Attorney, and Software Engineer also provide competitive salaries. Positions like MRI Technologist and Systems Engineer offer salaries around $110,000, making Charleston an attractive place for career growth and financial success.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Charleston, SC, highlighting Physician with the highest at $291,866 and Systems Engineer with the lowest at $108,387.

  1. Physician
    Average Salary: $291,866
    Delivering top-notch patient care is key. Work at renowned hospitals and clinics. Opportunities exist with MUSC Health and Roper St. Francis.
    Find Physician jobs in Charleston, SC


  2. Owner Operator
    Average Salary: $243,985
    Manage your own truck and route. Deliver goods for local businesses. Companies like FedEx and UPS offer roles.
    Find Owner Operator jobs in Charleston, SC


  3. Paramedic
    Average Salary: $227,834
    Respond to emergencies quickly. Provide critical care in the field. Work with Charleston Area Medical Center and local fire departments.
    Find Paramedic jobs in Charleston, SC


  4. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $143,697
    Deliver patient care in various settings. Work in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Local employers include MUSC Health and Roper St. Francis.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Charleston, SC


  5. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $125,910
    Manage prescriptions and advise patients. Work in retail or hospital settings. CVS Health and Walgreens are local options.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Charleston, SC


  6. Attorney
    Average Salary: $120,592
    Advise clients on legal matters. Work in a firm or private practice. Local firms include Nexsen Pruet and Tucker Law Firm.
    Find Attorney jobs in Charleston, SC


  7. Outside Sales Representative
    Average Salary: $118,988
    Build and maintain customer relationships. Sell products or services to businesses. Work for companies like IBM and Cisco.
    Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Charleston, SC


  8. MRI Technologist
    Average Salary: $116,780
    Operate MRI machines to create diagnostic images. Work in hospitals and imaging centers. Local employers include Bon Secours St. Francis and Roper St. Francis.
    Find MRI Technologist jobs in Charleston, SC


  9. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $115,764
    Develop and maintain software applications. Work for tech companies or in-house. Local options include IBM and various tech startups.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC


  10. Systems Engineer
    Average Salary: $108,387
    Manage and maintain IT infrastructure. Work for businesses needing reliable systems. Employers include IBM and various tech firms in Charleston.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC

What are the best paying jobs in Charleston, SC without a degree?

Charleston, SC offers many good job opportunities without needing a college degree. Kitchen managers can earn up to $66,000 a year. Experienced restaurant managers make about $51,000. These jobs provide steady pay and valuable work experience. Ice cream vendors and landscapers offer good wages with the chance to work outdoors. Positions like server, loader operator, and food service aide provide stable work and decent pay. These roles are good choices for those looking for dependable jobs that do not need a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Charleston, SC without a degree, highlighting Kitchen Manager with the highest at $66,088 and Concrete Finisher with the lowest at $43,773.

  1. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $66,088
    Lead a kitchen crew for a popular eatery. Ensure food is prepared on time. Train kitchen staff to meet high standards. Work for well-known local restaurants like Fleet Landing and the Charleston Grill.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Charleston, SC


  2. Ice Cream Vendor
    Average Salary: $53,096
    Sell a variety of ice cream flavors. Set up at local events and festivals. Interact with customers to suggest popular flavors. Work for brands like Cold Stone Creamery and local scoop shops.
    Find Ice Cream Vendor jobs in Charleston, SC


  3. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $51,242
    Oversee daily restaurant operations. Manage staff schedules and ensure customer satisfaction. Train new employees on restaurant procedures. Work for top dining establishments like The Dewberry and Fleet Landing.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Charleston, SC


  4. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $46,350
    Install and maintain irrigation systems for lawns and gardens. Test and repair equipment. Work for landscaping companies like C & D Lawn Care and local garden centers.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Charleston, SC


  5. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $44,205
    Maintain lawns and gardens by trimming shrubs and mowing lawns. Plant flowers and trees as needed. Work for landscape companies like C & D Lawn Care and private clients.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Charleston, SC


  6. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $43,773
    Prepare concrete for construction projects. Smooth and level concrete surfaces. Work for construction firms like C & M Construction and local builders.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Charleston, SC

Which companies offer the top salaries in Charleston, SC?

Charleston, SC, offers a range of companies that provide competitive salaries. Siemens Healthineers leads the way with an average salary of $147,043. This company stands out for offering the highest pay among the listed employers. Additionally, Booz Allen Hamilton and American Traveler also provide solid compensation, with average salaries of $107,014 and $103,187, respectively. Other notable companies include the Dave Friedman Team, Service Experts, and ATC Healthcare, all offering salaries over $90,000. These companies, along with LifeStance Health, FUSION Medical Staffing, OneStaff Medical, and The MIL Corporation, provide respectable salaries for employees in Charleston. Job seekers can find attractive compensation packages across various industries in the area.
Graph displaying company salaries in Charleston, SC, highlighting Siemens Healthineers with the highest at $147,043 and The MIL Corporation with the lowest at $88,949.

  1. Siemens Healthineers
    Average Salary: $147,043
    Siemens Healthineers is a leading medical technology company. They focus on equipment and services for healthcare.


  2. Booz Allen Hamilton
    Average Salary: $107,014
    Booz Allen Hamilton is a management and technology consulting firm. They help government and business clients.


  3. American Traveler
    Average Salary: $103,187
    American Traveler is a healthcare staffing company. They match healthcare professionals with job openings.


  4. Dave Friedman Team
    Average Salary: $99,844
    Dave Friedman Team is a real estate company. They help clients buy, sell, and invest in properties.


  5. Service Experts
    Average Salary: $96,901
    Service Experts provides home services. They offer HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services.


  6. ATC Healthcare
    Average Salary: $91,089
    ATC Healthcare is a staffing company. They provide healthcare professionals for job openings across the country.


  7. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $90,442
    LifeStance Health offers mental health services. They provide therapy and psychiatric care for patients.


  8. FUSION Medical Staffing
    Average Salary: $89,177
    FUSION Medical Staffing is a healthcare staffing agency. They help match healthcare workers with job openings.


  9. OneStaff Medical
    Average Salary: $89,033
    OneStaff Medical is a staffing agency. They place healthcare professionals in job openings.


  10. The MIL Corporation
    Average Salary: $88,949
    The MIL Corporation is a staffing company. They provide workers for job openings in various industries.

How does the cost of living in Charleston, SC compare to the national average?

Charleston, SC, has a cost of living that is slightly lower than the nationwide average. The city's overall cost of living index stands at 94, which is 6% below the national average of 100. This means residents in Charleston can expect to pay less for various essentials and services when compared to the average U.S. resident. While the housing index of 90 indicates that housing costs are lower, other categories like groceries, utilities, and healthcare also show slightly below-average expenses. This balanced distribution across categories makes Charleston a relatively affordable place to live.
Cost of living comparison graph for Charleston, SC vs. Nationwide: housing 10% lower, groceries 5% lower, utilities 2% lower, transportation 3% lower, healthcare 8% lower, miscellaneous 7% lower.

Charleston, SC, offers a cost of living that is relatively comparable to the nationwide average. The housing index in Charleston stands at 90, which is slightly lower than the benchmark of 100. For prospective residents, this means housing costs are about 10% less than what might be found in other parts of the country. Grocery expenses also mirror this trend, with an index of 95, indicating that shopping for food is around 5% cheaper than the national average.


Utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses in Charleston also show a minor decrease from the nationwide average. Utilities have an index of 98, meaning they are 2% cheaper than average. Transportation costs are at 97, which is 3% lower. Healthcare expenses stand at 92, making them about 8% below the national average, while miscellaneous expenses, with an index of 93, are 7% cheaper. Together, these factors suggest that Charleston provides a cost-effective living environment for job seekers looking to balance lifestyle and budget.

There are 3,271 job openings in Charleston, SC, today!

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Charleston, SC
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