ocity
💰 COL Index: 101 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Charleston, SC

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$69,228
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$68,815
model average ÷ 100.6 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$157,903
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,424
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Charleston?

$69,228 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$69,228/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,769/month
Household income context$95,126

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +0% vs national

Marketing Manager

$157,903
💡 Purchasing-power model $156,961
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $75.91/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +0% vs national

Pharmacist

$136,274
💡 Purchasing-power model $135,461
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $65.52/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,489
💡 Purchasing-power model $126,729
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.29/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +0% vs national

Construction Manager

$108,404
💡 Purchasing-power model $107,757
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $52.12/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +0% vs national

Project Manager

$101,462
💡 Purchasing-power model $100,857
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.78/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Charleston

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (100.6/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $157,903
2 Pharmacist $136,274
3 Software Developer $127,489
4 Construction Manager $108,404
5 Project Manager $101,462
6 Physical Therapist $99,889
7 Financial Analyst $99,188
8 Web Developer $92,916
9 Dental Hygienist $87,687
10 Accountant $86,234
11 Registered Nurse $86,224
12 Data Analyst $83,510
13 Police Officer $75,044
14 Human Resources Specialist $67,771
15 Elementary School Teacher $63,784
16 Plumber $63,464
17 Paralegal $62,862
18 Electrician $61,660
19 Real Estate Agent $61,590
20 Graphic Designer $61,450
21 Firefighter $57,222
22 Carpenter $57,022
23 HVAC Technician $55,770
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,185
25 Loan Officer $50,090
26 Insurance Agent $50,090
27 Nail Technician $50,090
28 Cosmetologist $50,090
29 Personal Trainer $50,090
30 Veterinary Technician $50,090
31 Auto Mechanic $50,090
32 Social Worker $50,090
33 Pharmacy Technician $50,090
34 Chef/Head Cook $50,090
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,090
36 Dental Assistant $50,090
37 Welder $49,679
38 Medical Assistant $38,338
39 Security Guard $36,205
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,824

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Charleston salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.627×–1.502× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 100.6 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Charleston

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,424/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,599/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$640,000
📉
Unemployment
3.2%
💳
Median Income
$95,126
🎓
College Educated
61%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
101
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Charleston Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Charleston Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Charleston mean on this page?

▼
$69,228 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Charleston workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Charleston?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,769 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Charleston?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Charleston?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.627×–1.502× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Charleston

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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Explore Charleston Further

🏙️ Charleston City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage