Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Computer Hardware Engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC make a median of $120,810 a year, or about $58.08 an hour. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $179K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $119,661 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,787/month, or 24.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $121K 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 computer hardware engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K. Top earners bring in $179K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Hardware Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $189K | +22% | 480 |
| California | $180K | +16% | 24,200 |
| Washington | $174K | +12% | 1,370 |
| Massachusetts | $171K | +10% | 3,350 |
| Arizona | $163K | +5% | 3,390 |
| Hawaii | $155K | +0% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $154K | -1% | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $153K | -1% | 290 |
| New York | $142K | -9% | 2,500 |
| Montana | $142K | -9% | 50 |
| Virginia | $140K | -10% | 1,840 |
| Maryland | $138K | -11% | 2,420 |
| Alabama | $137K | -12% | 800 |
| Alaska | $136K | -12% | 40 |
| Texas | $133K | -14% | 3,380 |
| Delaware | $132K | -15% | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $132K | -15% | 940 |
| North Carolina | $132K | -15% | 1,250 |
| New Jersey | $132K | -15% | 690 |
| Minnesota | $131K | -16% | 560 |
| Idaho | $128K | -18% | 820 |
| Nebraska | $126K | -19% | 90 |
| Florida | $126K | -19% | 2,890 |
| Ohio | $125K | -19% | 790 |
| Arkansas | $123K | -21% | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $120K | -23% | 460 |
| South Carolina | $119K | -23% | 510 |
| Michigan | $114K | -27% | 1,440 |
| Oklahoma | $113K | -27% | 120 |
| Iowa | $111K | -28% | 200 |
| Georgia | $109K | -30% | 520 |
| Illinois | $108K | -31% | 1,500 |
| Utah | $104K | -33% | 430 |
| Nevada | $103K | -34% | 120 |
| Kansas | $102K | -34% | 190 |
| Missouri | $101K | -35% | 580 |
| Tennessee | $100K | -35% | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $98K | -37% | 500 |
| Indiana | $95K | -39% | 300 |
| Louisiana | $94K | -40% | 170 |
| Kentucky | $89K | -43% | N/A |
| Mississippi | $76K | -51% | 180 |
| North Dakota | $73K | -53% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 43 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer hardware engineers 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 computer hardware engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $120,810 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,620, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $178,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,269/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 24.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer hardware engineers 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 computer hardware engineers salary is worth about $119,661 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer hardware engineers 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.