Mechanical Engineer Salary in South Carolina
Based on 6K+ workers in South Carolina
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$104,580
$50.28/hr
vs National Average
$105,416
-0.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$74K – $166K
6K employed in South Carolina
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in South Carolina sits at $104,580 annually, with reported earnings generally falling between $74,260 and $166,340. This figure represents a compensation slightly below the national average, by approximately 1%. Currently, there are an estimated 5,780 Mechanical Engineers employed across the state.
Several factors can influence your specific Mechanical Engineer salary in South Carolina. These include years of experience, the industry you work in (such as automotive or aerospace), the size and type of employer, and your specific skill set and educational qualifications. Location within the state, with areas like Greenville and Charleston often offering higher compensation, can also play a significant role.
Salary Distribution — Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,260 |
| 25th percentile | $84,810 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $104,580 |
| 75th percentile | $133,480 |
| 90th percentile | $166,340 |
Top H-1B Employers for Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in South Carolina — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Techtronic Cordless GP | 3 | $122,574 |
| 2 | HC FORKLIFT AMERICA CORPORATION | 3 | $80,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in South Carolina
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in South Carolina.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $75,000 | 5 |
| Level II | Qualified | $95,000 | 9 |
| Level III | Experienced | $107,677 | 8 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $124,248 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Mechanical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Mechanical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $175,610 | 1K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $138,030 | 1K |
| Utilities | $135,150 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $128,760 | 100 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,390 | 12K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $82,590 |
| 2023 | $95,880 |
| 2024 | $105,360 |
| 2025 | $104,580 |
| 2026 (projected) | $104,580 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $82,590 | $92,043 |
| 2023 | $95,880 | $97,128 |
| 2024 | $105,360 | $102,901 |
| 2025 | $104,580 | $105,416 |
| 2026 (projected) | $104,580 | $105,416 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $84,810 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $104,580 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $133,480 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $166,340 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Mechanical Engineer Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Mechanical Engineer ($104,580 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Mechanical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in SC | $169,040 | +61.6% | $81.27/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in SC | $137,030 | +31.0% | $65.88/hr |
| Marine Engineer in SC | $136,990 | +31.0% | $65.86/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in SC | $126,570 | +21.0% | $60.85/hr |
| Materials Engineer in SC | $121,610 | +16.3% | $58.47/hr |
| Civil Engineer in SC | $101,600 | -2.8% | $48.85/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in SC | $101,570 | -2.9% | $48.83/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in SC | $101,060 | -3.4% | $48.59/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in SC | $99,130 | -5.2% | $47.66/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in SC | $98,440 | -5.9% | $47.33/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in SC | $96,140 | -8.1% | $46.22/hr |
| Public Relations Manager in SC | $104,920 | +0.3% | $50.44/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina?
- The median salary for a Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina is $104,580 per year, which averages out to $50 per hour. This median figure falls slightly below the national average, by about 0.8%.
How much can a Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina expect to earn?
- The typical salary range for a Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina is between $74,260 and $166,340 annually. The median salary sits at $104,580 per year.
Is the salary for Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina higher or lower than the national average?
- Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina earn a median salary of $104,580 per year, which is approximately 0.8% lower than the national average. The salary range in South Carolina is from $74,260 to $166,340.
How many Mechanical Engineers are employed in South Carolina?
- There are approximately 5,780 Mechanical Engineers currently employed in South Carolina. The median annual salary for these professionals is $104,580.