Environmental Engineer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Environmental Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $86,670 a year ($41.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $107,110. Pay here is 10% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $96,140. There are 0.31 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| 25th percentile | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Median | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| 75th percentile | $102,180 | $49.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Average (mean) | $91,020 | $43.76 |
Half of environmental 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 | $7,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,611.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,333.46 |
| Weekly | $1,666.73 |
| Hourly | $41.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,670 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.
Environmental Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $118,320 | 80 |
| Columbia, SC | $96,140 | 130 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $93,930 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,840 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
See Environmental Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $110,830 | $53.29 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Engineers, All Other | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Materials Engineer | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,160 | $34.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2081. 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 environmental engineer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for environmental engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $86,670 a year, or $41.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $136,990 a year. The top 25% earn $102,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,540 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $67,100 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 120 environmental engineers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.