Architectural and Engineering Managers Salary
The median pay for a architectural and engineering managers in South Carolina is $169,040/year ($81.27/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $115K at the entry level to $227K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.17), which stretches that salary to about $181,432 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,263/month, or 12.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $169K get you in South Carolina?
About architectural and engineering managers
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What this looks like in South Carolina
Architectural and engineering managers pay in South Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $169K locally vs. $171K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,263/month, 12.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.17 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Carolina
Entry-level architectural and engineering managers (10th percentile) start around $115K. Mid-career wages sit at $169K. Top earners bring in $227K or more, a $112K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary by metro in South Carolina
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $174K | +3% | 730 |
| Florence | $173K | +2% | 80 |
| Columbia | $162K | -4% | 360 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $161K | -5% | 900 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $152K | -10% | 30 |
| Spartanburg | $149K | -12% | 170 |
| Sumter | $133K | -21% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and engineering managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $169K, rent takes 12.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,263/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and engineering managers in South Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and engineering managers typically earn — is $115K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,917/month. At HUD’s $1,263/month FMR, rent would take 18% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is architectural and engineering manager a high-paying job in South Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $169K locally vs. $171K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for architectural and engineering managers?
South Carolina pays $169K median vs. the U.S. average of $171K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $181K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and engineering managers make in South Carolina?
The median is $169,040 a year, that works out to about $81 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $115,280, and experienced architectural and engineering managers can clear $226,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $169K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,758/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 12.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a architectural and engineering managers salary go in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 93.17 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and engineering managers salary is worth about $181,432 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do architectural and engineering managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.