Average Software Developers Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Software Developers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area earn an average annual salary of $126,070. This figure is notably below the national average of $145,320, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as industry demand and the cost of doing business, play a significant role in compensation levels within this region.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $126,070 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 16.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $180,480.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 2,030 Software Developers and a Location Quotient of 0.49, the Charleston-North Charleston area presents a market with a concentration of talent that is less than half the national average. This indicates a potentially less saturated, though perhaps less robust, job market compared to national hubs, suggesting opportunities may exist for skilled professionals seeking to enter or advance within the local tech scene.
Salary Overview
The average Software Developers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC earns-13.2%below the national average.
$60.6
$2,424
$10,506
Software Developers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that Software Developer salaries in Charleston-North Charleston have experienced growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Factors such as increasing demand for digital solutions and the continuous evolution of technology likely contribute to upward pressure on compensation, even in markets with a lower concentration quotient.
Software Developers Salary Distribution in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Salary progression for Software Developers in Charleston-North Charleston, as elsewhere, is typically tied to experience and skill specialization. Entry-level positions will command lower salaries, while senior developers with expertise in high-demand areas can expect significantly higher compensation. The percentile gaps in salary distributions serve as a clear indicator of career advancement opportunities and the potential for substantial income growth throughout a developer's career.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $76,210 | $36.6 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $94,553 | $45.5 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $124,790 | $60 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $157,588 | $75.8 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $180,480 | $86.8 |
Detailed Software Developers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$126,070
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$126,070
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average Software Developer salary of $126,070 in Charleston-North Charleston aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a developer's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial environment without the premium often associated with higher cost-of-living areas.
Job Market Context
2,030
Total Jobs
5.239
Per 1K Jobs
0.49
Location Quotient
At 0.49x, Charleston-North Charleston, SC has a notably lower concentration of Software Developers jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
A Location Quotient of 0.49 for Software Developers in Charleston-North Charleston signifies that the concentration of these professionals is less than half of the national average. This suggests that while the demand might not be as intense as in major tech hubs, the market is less saturated, potentially offering a more favorable environment for job seekers relative to the number of available positions.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Software Developers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Software Developers Salary | $140,570↑ 12% | 63 mi |
| Sumter, SC Software Developers Salary | $119,620↓ 5% | 81 mi |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Software Developers Salary | $108,460↓ 14% | 88 mi |
| Savannah, GA Software Developers Salary | $119,360↓ 5% | 89 mi |
| Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area Software Developers Salary | $113,780↓ 10% | 91 mi |
Comparing salaries near Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Hiring Software Developerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Software Developers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median annual salary for a Software Developers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $126,070. This typically ranges from $76,210 for entry-level positions to $180,480 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 13.2% lower than the national median of $145,320.
Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a lucrative place for Software Developers?
No, not compared to the national average.While the average salary of $126,070 is substantial, it falls below the national average of $145,320. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, making the salary's purchasing power comparable.
Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a good place to live for Software Developers?
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 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC ($140,570) and Sumter, SC.
How does the Charleston-North Charleston salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for Software Developers in Charleston-North Charleston is $126,070, which is approximately $19,250 less than the national average of $145,320.
What is the job market like for Software Developers in Charleston-North Charleston?
The market has a concentration of Software Developers that is less than half the national average (LQ of 0.49), with 5.239 jobs per 1,000 workers, indicating a moderate but less saturated job pool.
Does the cost of living affect the Software Developer salary in Charleston-North Charleston?
No, the cost of living in Charleston-North Charleston is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the $126,070 salary offers average purchasing power.
What does the Location Quotient (LQ) of 0.49 mean for Software Developers?
An LQ of 0.49 means that Software Developers are less concentrated in Charleston-North Charleston compared to the national average, suggesting a less competitive but potentially smaller job market.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,030 employees in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area with a job density of 5.239 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Software Developers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC