Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
The median pay for a automotive service technicians and mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $47,220/year ($22.7/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $46,771 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 55.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $47K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About automotive service technicians and mechanics
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level automotive service technicians and mechanics (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $47K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71K | +43% | 270 |
| California | $63K | +28% | 62,110 |
| Alaska | $62K | +25% | 1,390 |
| New Hampshire | $58K | +18% | 4,510 |
| Washington | $58K | +16% | 13,740 |
| Maryland | $58K | +16% | 14,310 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 12,390 |
| Minnesota | $57K | +16% | 13,500 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +15% | 16,820 |
| Montana | $57K | +15% | 2,720 |
| Oregon | $57K | +14% | 6,900 |
| Virginia | $56K | +13% | 17,740 |
| Connecticut | $56K | +13% | 6,630 |
| New York | $52K | +4% | 31,790 |
| North Dakota | $51K | +3% | 1,850 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | +3% | 11,710 |
| Rhode Island | $51K | +2% | 2,390 |
| Hawaii | $51K | +2% | 2,950 |
| Illinois | $50K | +2% | 26,710 |
| Delaware | $50K | +1% | 1,840 |
| Vermont | $50K | +1% | 1,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $50K | +0% | 29,020 |
| Arizona | $49K | -1% | 17,390 |
| Maine | $49K | -1% | 3,230 |
| Michigan | $49K | -2% | 20,650 |
| Nebraska | $49K | -2% | 4,530 |
| Georgia | $49K | -2% | 24,000 |
| Texas | $49K | -2% | 67,060 |
| North Carolina | $49K | -2% | 25,260 |
| Florida | $49K | -2% | 46,090 |
| South Dakota | $48K | -3% | 2,190 |
| Iowa | $48K | -3% | 8,060 |
| Nevada | $48K | -4% | 7,400 |
| Indiana | $48K | -4% | 15,610 |
| Tennessee | $47K | -4% | 16,390 |
| Idaho | $47K | -5% | 5,160 |
| New Mexico | $47K | -5% | 4,970 |
| Ohio | $47K | -5% | 22,950 |
| Kansas | $47K | -5% | 6,380 |
| Utah | $47K | -5% | 8,910 |
| Missouri | $47K | -6% | 16,810 |
| Louisiana | $46K | -7% | 8,050 |
| South Carolina | $46K | -7% | 13,950 |
| Wyoming | $46K | -8% | 1,500 |
| Alabama | $46K | -8% | 9,920 |
| Arkansas | $44K | -12% | 6,280 |
| Oklahoma | $42K | -16% | 9,390 |
| Kentucky | $40K | -20% | 10,910 |
| Mississippi | $38K | -23% | 6,410 |
| West Virginia | $36K | -27% | 4,450 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track automotive service technicians and mechanics salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do automotive service technicians and mechanics make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $47,220 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,160, and experienced automotive service technicians and mechanics can clear $78,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $47K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,215/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 55.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a automotive service technicians and mechanics salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median automotive service technicians and mechanics salary is worth about $46,771 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do automotive service technicians and mechanics 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.