Machinist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Machinists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,160 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $57,970. There are 1.2 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $59,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| 25th percentile | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th percentile | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,160 | $36.14 |
| Average (mean) | $59,370 | $28.54 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280 |
| Weekly | $1,140 |
| Hourly | $28.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,280 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.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,140 | 370 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,210 | 2,390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,060 | 420 |
| Columbia, SC | $59,570 | 240 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,970 | 1,050 |
| Florence, SC | $56,900 | 160 |
| Sumter, SC | $49,480 | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $46,460 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
More: Production 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 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for machinists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of machinists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $75,160 a year. The top 25% earn $67,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,930 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,070 or less.
How many machinists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 470 machinists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.