Civil Engineer Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Civil Engineers in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$101,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $100,840
State Rank
#14 of 51
7,180 employed here

How much does a Civil Engineer make in South Carolina?

A Civil Engineer working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $101,600 per year, or about $48.85 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $100,840 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $67,950 while the top 10% make $156,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,360 and $131,550 a year.

Civil Engineer salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$67,950$32.67
25th percentile (early career)$80,360$38.63
50th percentile (median)$101,600$48.85
75th percentile (experienced)$131,550$63.25
90th percentile (top earners)$156,380$75.18

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories for Civil Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$122,500
2Alaska$114,730
3Washington$110,000
4Massachusetts$106,730
5Louisiana$105,380

Working as a Civil Engineer in South Carolina

Nationally, about 368,000 people work as Civil Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($101,600) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Civil Engineer make in South Carolina?
The median Civil Engineer salary in South Carolina is $101,600 per year, or about $48.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,950 at the entry level to $156,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Civil Engineers about 1% more than the national median of $100,840. South Carolina ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Civil Engineers?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,600 a year. About 7,180 Civil Engineers are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Civil Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.