Civil Engineer Salary in Hanahan, SC: $95,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Hanahan, SC earns a median $95,848/year (≈ $46.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Hanahan's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $104,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Hanahan, South Carolina is estimated to reach a median of $95,848, positioning it slightly lower than the national average of $103,492. This salary reflects a broad range from $66,469 at the 10th percentile to $148,565 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variability shaped by the type of employer and specific engineering specialties. The segmentation within the industry is significant, as civil engineers tend to see varying compensation based on whether they work with private consulting firms, government agencies, or construction companies. In Hanahan, large firms such as AECOM and Jacobs typically offer higher salaries compared to governmental positions, which overall influences the market dynamics for civil engineers in the area.
About the Hanahan Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,469 | $31.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,848 | $46.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,164 | $58.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,565 | $71.43 |
Median Salary Position
7.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hanahan
In Hanahan, SC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,096 (2026 est.). At $95,848, the local median is 7.39% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hanahan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hanahan Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Hanahan median: $95,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hanahan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $96,816 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.39% less |
Civil Engineers in Hanahan, SC earn a median of $95,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.39% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.00% below the South Carolina state average of $96,816.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hanahan has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hanahan, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,630
2025 BLS Actual
$93,392
2026 Current Est.
$95,848
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hanahan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,297 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,808 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,732 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,392 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,369 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hanahan metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,630 (2019) to $93,392 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,369 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,739 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hanahan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,469 – $76,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,190 – $95,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,848 – $122,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,164 – $148,565 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Hanahan
With only four civil engineers currently employed in Hanahan, the local job market is relatively small, but it still presents opportunities for those in the field. The cost of living index is 91.5, indicating a lower cost of living compared to the national average. This translates to a potentially favorable purchasing power for civil engineers, despite the comparatively modest salaries. Employers like AECOM and Jacobs dominate the higher pay bracket, while roles in government or smaller firms may offer stability rather than top-tier compensation. The gap in pay often stems from factors such as the necessity of a PE license for more senior roles, distinct specialty areas that carry a premium, and competitive pressures from larger firms. To enhance earning potential, engineers in Hanahan should pursue professional licensure and consider strategic career moves toward firms engaged in government contracts, especially with the current infrastructure spending boost driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Hanahan, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $93,392 for civil engineersin the Hanahan metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hanahan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov