Civil Engineer Salary in Mount Pleasant, SC: $98,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Mount Pleasant, SC earns a median $98,216/year (≈ $47.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Mount Pleasant's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $107,340 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Mount Pleasant, SC, can expect a median annual salary of $98,216 in 2026, which reflects a competitive salary landscape influenced by the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) spending initiatives. The salary range for civil engineers in this area spans from $66,710 at the 10th percentile to $152,234 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data reflect the regional cost adjustments and the rising demand for engineering professionals due to ongoing infrastructure projects. This dynamic job market positions civil engineers in Mount Pleasant favorably, thanks to significant investments in local infrastructure development.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,224 | $36.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,216 | $47.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,433 | $60.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,234 | $73.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant, SC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,524 (2026 est.). At $98,216, the local median is 5.1% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Pleasant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Pleasant Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Mount Pleasant median: $98,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Pleasant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $96,764 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.10% less |
Civil Engineers in Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $98,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $96,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Pleasant 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.
Mount Pleasant, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,340 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,622
2025 BLS Actual
$95,699
2026 Current Est.
$98,216
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,055 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,701 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,622 (2019) to $95,699 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,177 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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) | $66,710 – $75,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,224 – $98,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,216 – $125,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,433 – $152,234 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Mount Pleasant
With 19 civil engineers currently employed in the area, Mount Pleasant's job market exhibits a blend of opportunities across various sectors, including consulting firms and government agencies. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating a moderately lower cost compared to the national average, which allows for better purchasing power. Among the local employers, engineering consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP typically offer the highest pay packages, followed by Fortune 500 construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor. Factors contributing to wage disparities include the necessity of holding a PE license for more advanced positions, along with specialties in structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering. To maximize earning potential, professionals are advised to pursue advanced credentials, seek out opportunities that align with funding from infrastructure improvements, and consider the benefits of working with top-tier firms that can offer more lucrative compensation.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 $95,699 for civil engineersin the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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