Mechanical Engineer salary in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
Mechanical Engineers in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area earn a median of $104,150 a year ($50.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,470 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $104,110. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $104,580. There are 0.45 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.23). The average (mean) salary is $114,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| 25th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Median | $104,150 | $50.07 |
| 75th percentile | $146,530 | $70.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,470 | $80.03 |
| Average (mean) | $114,860 | $55.22 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $8,679.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,339.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,005.77 |
| Weekly | $2,002.88 |
| Hourly | $50.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,150 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.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $128,740 | 980 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $120,070 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $110,820 | 940 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $104,990 | 520 |
| Florence, SC | $103,800 | 130 |
| Columbia, SC | $102,280 | 450 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,950 | 2,470 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $101,570 | 1,800 |
| Sumter, SC | $101,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Electrical Engineer | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| Surveyor | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,500 | $37.74 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area is $104,150 a year, or $50.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area earn at least $166,470 a year. The top 25% earn $146,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,750 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,330 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
About 40 mechanical engineers are employed in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.