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What is the average salary in Charleston, SC?

The average salary in Charleston, SC is $61,245 per year.

Charleston, SC, offers a range of salary options across different job sectors. Professionals in Charleston can expect a variety of income levels. The average yearly salary in Charleston stands at $61,245. This figure reflects the diverse job market available in the area.

The salary distribution in Charleston varies significantly across sectors. Top-paying jobs include health care, management, and professional roles. A smaller percentage of people earn salaries in the highest brackets. Most positions fall in the middle range, offering competitive pay. This range makes Charleston an attractive place for job seekers looking for stable incomes. Understanding these salary levels can help job seekers make informed choices about where to focus their job search.

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What are the best paying jobs in Charleston, SC?

Charleston, SC, offers a variety of high-paying job opportunities. Physicians lead the pack with an average salary of $291,334. Those in the medical field can also find good pay as MRI Technologists and Nurse Practitioners, with average salaries around $116,879 and $143,823, respectively. Business professionals will find lucrative roles as Outside Sales Representatives and Attorneys, earning around $113,141 and $118,493 per year.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Charleston, SC, highlighting Physician with the highest at $291,334 and Software Engineer with the lowest at $113,051.
  1. Physician
    Average Salary: $291,334
    Physicians in Charleston diagnose and treat patients. They work in hospitals, private practices, and clinics. The city has leading healthcare facilities like MUSC Health and Roper St. Francis Healthcare.
    Find Physician jobs in Charleston, SC


  2. Owner Operator
    Average Salary: $248,928
    Owner operators manage their own businesses. They often run logistics or transportation companies. Many of these entrepreneurs have their own fleets serving businesses across the region.
    Find Owner Operator jobs in Charleston, SC


  3. Paramedic
    Average Salary: $224,401
    Paramedics provide urgent medical care to patients. They work for emergency services or private ambulance companies. Charleston's large population needs reliable paramedics.
    Find Paramedic jobs in Charleston, SC


  4. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $143,823
    Nurse practitioners offer primary and specialty care. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Charleston's healthcare system values their skills in patient care.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Charleston, SC


  5. Independent Contractor
    Average Salary: $141,484
    Independent contractors offer services in various fields. They might do construction, legal work, or consulting. Many contractors in Charleston enjoy flexible schedules and steady work.
    Find Independent Contractor jobs in Charleston, SC


  6. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $125,814
    Pharmacists fill prescriptions and advise patients. They work in pharmacies and hospitals. Charleston has several pharmacy chains and independent drugstores.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Charleston, SC


  7. Attorney
    Average Salary: $118,493
    Attorneys represent clients in legal matters. They might work for law firms or corporate legal departments. Charleston has many firms offering opportunities for legal professionals.
    Find Attorney jobs in Charleston, SC


  8. MRI Technologist
    Average Salary: $116,879
    MRI technologists operate imaging equipment. They work in hospitals and imaging centers. Their skills help doctors diagnose and treat patients effectively.
    Find MRI Technologist jobs in Charleston, SC


  9. Outside Sales Representative
    Average Salary: $113,141
    Sales representatives sell products or services. They visit clients to promote goods. Many sales reps in Charleston work for local businesses and firms.
    Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Charleston, SC


  10. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $113,051
    Software engineers design and develop software. They work for tech companies and startups. Charleston has a growing tech scene with many job opportunities.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC

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

Charleston, SC, offers many well-paying jobs that don't need a college degree. Kitchen Managers can make around $66,000 a year, and Ice Cream Vendors can earn close to $54,000. Other good options include Restaurant Managers, Irrigation Technicians, and Landscapers, all of which offer competitive salaries. These jobs provide good pay and valuable skills. For example, Kitchen Managers oversee kitchen staff and food prep. Ice Cream Vendors can work in busy areas and enjoy a fun job. Restaurant Managers handle daily operations, Irrigation Technicians maintain systems, and Landscapers create beautiful outdoor spaces. These roles help job seekers start rewarding careers without needing a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Charleston, SC without a degree, highlighting Kitchen Manager with the highest at $66,088 and Food Service Aide with the lowest at $40,462.
  1. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $66,088
    This role ensures the smooth operation of the kitchen. It involves overseeing cooks and kitchen staff. It requires excellent organizational skills. Companies like The Ordinary and Charleston Grill offer this job.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Charleston, SC


  2. Ice Cream Vendor
    Average Salary: $53,509
    Selling ice cream and other treats to customers. This job involves setting up carts or stalls. It demands a friendly and outgoing personality. Vendors often work for companies like Cold Stone Creamery or local fairs.
    Find Ice Cream Vendor jobs in Charleston, SC


  3. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $51,327
    Managing all aspects of a restaurant. This includes overseeing staff and ensuring customer satisfaction. It requires strong leadership skills. Popular chains include Chick-fil-A and local restaurants.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Charleston, SC


  4. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $46,135
    Installing and maintaining irrigation systems. This job requires knowledge of landscaping. It involves working for landscape companies and gardening centers. It ensures proper watering of plants and lawns.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Charleston, SC


  5. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $43,762
    Creating and maintaining outdoor spaces. This includes planting trees and shrubs. It requires physical stamina and attention to detail. It involves working for local landscaping firms and gardening centers.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Charleston, SC


  6. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $43,471
    Smoothing and finishing concrete surfaces. This job involves working on construction sites. It requires manual labor and attention to detail. Companies often hire for residential and commercial projects.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Charleston, SC


  7. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $42,265
    Collecting payments and distributing materials. This job involves door-to-door visits. It requires good communication skills. It often involves working for companies that manage collections and deliveries.
    Find Canvasser jobs in Charleston, SC


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $41,772
    Taking orders and serving food to customers. This role involves working in a fast-paced environment. It requires excellent customer service skills. Popular places to work include restaurants and cafes.
    Find Server jobs in Charleston, SC


  9. Loader Operator
    Average Salary: $41,692
    Loading and unloading materials. This job involves operating machinery. It requires physical strength and attention to detail. It often involves working for logistics and construction companies.
    Find Loader Operator jobs in Charleston, SC


  10. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $40,462
    Assisting cooks and kitchen staff. This role involves preparing food and cleaning. It requires basic kitchen skills. It often involves working in restaurants and cafeterias.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in Charleston, SC

Which companies offer the top salaries in Charleston, SC?

Charleston, SC, offers job seekers several companies with competitive salaries. Siemens Healthineers leads the pack with an average salary of $147,043. Following closely behind are Booz Allen Hamilton and American Traveler, offering average salaries of $105,388 and $102,671 respectively. These companies provide excellent opportunities for professionals seeking attractive compensation packages. Other notable companies in Charleston include Dave Friedman Team and Service Experts, both offering competitive salaries. Dave Friedman Team provides an average salary of $99,916, while Service Experts pays $96,999 on average. ATC Healthcare, The MIL Corporation, FUSION Medical Staffing, OneStaff Medical, and LifeStance Health also offer salaries above the local average. Job seekers will find these companies offer good earning potential and attractive benefits.
Graph displaying company salaries in Charleston, SC, highlighting Siemens Healthineers with the highest at $147,043 and LifeStance Health with the lowest at $88,840.
  1. Siemens Healthineers
    Average Salary: $147,043
    Siemens Healthineers provides healthcare solutions. They focus on medical technology. They offer high salaries to attract top talent.


  2. Booz Allen Hamilton
    Average Salary: $105,388
    Booz Allen Hamilton is a consulting firm. They work with government and businesses. They pay well for their specialized services.


  3. American Traveler
    Average Salary: $102,671
    American Traveler helps with healthcare staffing. They connect healthcare workers with jobs. They offer competitive pay.


  4. Dave Friedman Team
    Average Salary: $99,916
    Dave Friedman Team is a real estate company. They help with buying and selling homes. Their salaries are strong.


  5. Service Experts
    Average Salary: $96,999
    Service Experts provide home services. They offer HVAC, plumbing, and more. Their workers earn good wages.


  6. ATC Healthcare
    Average Salary: $93,695
    ATC Healthcare focuses on healthcare staffing. They place healthcare professionals in jobs. They pay fairly well.


  7. The MIL Corporation
    Average Salary: $89,963
    The MIL Corporation provides IT services. They work with businesses to improve their technology. Their salaries are solid.


  8. FUSION Medical Staffing
    Average Salary: $89,474
    FUSION Medical Staffing helps with healthcare staffing. They find jobs for nurses and other healthcare workers. Their pay is decent.


  9. OneStaff Medical
    Average Salary: $89,033
    OneStaff Medical also focuses on healthcare staffing. They connect healthcare professionals with jobs. Their pay is good.


  10. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $88,840
    LifeStance Health provides mental health services. They offer counseling and psychiatry. Their workers receive fair compensation.

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

The cost of living in Charleston, SC, slightly exceeds the nationwide average, with a total index of 96. This means that overall, living costs in Charleston are about 4% higher than the average U.S. city. Notably, housing stands out as the most expensive category, with an index of 105, indicating it costs 5% more than the national average.
Cost of living comparison graph for Charleston, SC vs. Nationwide: housing 5% higher, groceries 5% lower, utilities 2% lower, transportation 10% lower, healthcare 0% lower, miscellaneous 8% lower.

The cost of living in Charleston, SC, shows a balanced view when compared to the nationwide average. Housing costs are slightly higher, with an index of 105. This means housing prices are about 5% more than the national average. People considering a move here should budget for housing costs to be slightly above average.


Other expenses paint a more diverse picture. For groceries, Charleston's cost is 95, which is 5% below the nationwide average. Utilities stand at 98, a mere 2% below the national average. Transportation costs in Charleston are lower, with an index of 90, making them 10% less than the average. These costs can offer some relief for those concerned about overall expenses. Additionally, healthcare costs in Charleston align with the national average at 100, which is a good indicator for those looking at long-term living expenses.

There are 2,933 job openings in Charleston, SC, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Charleston, SC

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City
Overview
Charleston, SC
2,933 Job Openings