Ship Engineer Salary in South Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$97,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $109,530
State Rank
#15 of 24
80 employed here

How much does a Ship Engineer make in South Carolina?

A Ship Engineer working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $97,890 per year, or about $47.06 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $109,530 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $61,610 while the top 10% make $114,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,700 and $105,590 a year.

Ship Engineer salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$61,610$29.62
25th percentile (early career)$80,700$38.80
50th percentile (median)$97,890$47.06
75th percentile (experienced)$105,590$50.76
90th percentile (top earners)$114,860$55.22

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 15th out of 24 states and territories for Ship Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$133,640
2Hawaii$131,640
3Florida$130,480
4Texas$127,810
5Massachusetts$122,720

Working as a Ship Engineer in South Carolina

Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Ship Engineers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($97,890) 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 Ship Engineer make in South Carolina?
The median Ship Engineer salary in South Carolina is $97,890 per year, or about $47.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $61,610 at the entry level to $114,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Ship Engineers about 11% less than the national median of $109,530. South Carolina ranks 15th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Ship Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $97,890 a year. About 80 Ship Engineers are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Ship 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.