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Average Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

In Charleston-North Charleston, SC, professionals in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations earn an average annual salary of $83,710. This figure is notably below the national average of $91,840, suggesting that local market dynamics, industry concentration, and regional economic factors play a significant role in compensation within this sector.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $83,710 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.3% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $135,110.
  • Outlook: The Charleston-North Charleston area supports a local workforce of 2,940 individuals in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. With a Location Quotient of 0.81, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not exceptionally dense job market. The presence of 7.563 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests a consistent demand for these specialized skills within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$83,710

The average Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Charleston-North Charleston, SC earns-8.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$40.2

Weekly

$1,610

Monthly

$6,976

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary Distribution in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Salary progression within Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Charleston-North Charleston typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior scientists, researchers, and lead analysts can command salaries substantially higher than the average. The percentile gaps between these levels underscore the substantial career advancement and earning potential available to experienced professionals.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$43,190$20.8
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$62,783$30.2
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$72,130$34.7
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$104,638$50.3
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$135,110$65

Detailed Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$83,710

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$83,710

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $83,710 in Charleston-North Charleston aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is below the national average, the purchasing power of this income is comparable to the national standard, making the effective financial standing of these professionals relatively balanced with their national counterparts.

Job Market Context

2,940

Total Jobs

7.563

Per 1K Jobs

0.81

Location Quotient

Below Average

Charleston-North Charleston, SC has 0.81x the national average concentration of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.81 for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Charleston-North Charleston indicates that this sector is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests a moderately competitive job market where demand is present but not overwhelmingly high, offering a balanced environment for both job seekers and employers.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupationss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The median annual salary for a Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $83,710. This typically ranges from $43,190 for entry-level positions to $135,110 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 8.9% lower than the national median of $91,840.

Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a lucrative place for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupationss?

No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.While the average salary of $83,710 is decent, it falls below the national average of $91,840. However, the cost of living being at the national average means the purchasing power is comparable.

Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a good place to live for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations?

The Cost of Living Index in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

Some top paying nearby cities include Sumter, SC ($81,290) and Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC.

How does the Charleston-North Charleston salary compare to the national average?

The average salary of $83,710 in Charleston-North Charleston is lower than the national average of $91,840 for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations.

What is the Cost of Living in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The Cost of Living Index in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 100, which is exactly the national average.

How concentrated is the Life, Physical, and Social Science job market in Charleston-North Charleston?

The job market concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.81, indicating it is slightly less concentrated than the national average.

What is the total workforce size for these occupations locally?

There are approximately 2,940 individuals employed in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in the Charleston-North Charleston area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,940 employees in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area with a job density of 7.563 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.