Civil Engineer salary in South Carolina
Civil Engineers in South Carolina earn a median of $101,600 a year ($48.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,380 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $100,840. South Carolina ranks 14th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 3.1 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,950 | $32.67 |
| 25th percentile | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Median | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| 75th percentile | $131,550 | $63.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,380 | $75.18 |
| Average (mean) | $107,000 | $51.44 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,233.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,907.69 |
| Weekly | $1,953.85 |
| Hourly | $48.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $103,010 | 2,000 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $102,830 | 1,170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,370 | 3,730 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,740 | 1,310 |
| Florence, SC | $94,630 | 140 |
| Columbia, SC | $94,520 | 1,070 |
| Sumter, SC | $94,110 | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $90,150 | 120 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $83,420 | 50 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $79,400 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $113,720 | $54.67 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $125,110 | $60.15 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,610 | $58.47 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $99,130 | $47.66 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $136,990 | $65.86 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in South Carolina?
The median salary for civil engineers in South Carolina is $101,600 a year, or $48.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of civil engineers in South Carolina earn at least $156,380 a year. The top 25% earn $131,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,950 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $80,360 or less.
How many civil engineers work in South Carolina?
About 7,180 civil engineers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.