How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in South Carolina?

BLS puts the average Mechanical Engineer pay in South Carolina at $113,690 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in South Carolina, after federal taxes, FICA, and South Carolina state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $83,854 annually ($6,988/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina?

On a $113,690 salary in South Carolina, your take-home pay is approximately $83,854/year or $6,988/month. Federal tax: $16,182. State tax: $4,957. FICA: $8,697.

Is $113,690 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$113,690 is the BLS average Mechanical Engineer pay in South Carolina, about the same as the US average of $113,610 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in South Carolina earn between $84,810 and $133,480.

How do South Carolina taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

South Carolina levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $113,690 is $4,957. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 26.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

In South Carolina, the top 10% earn over $166,340 and the bottom 10% under $74,260 (BLS, May 2025). 10% growth through 2032 (faster than average); EV/aerospace/defense subspecialties growing faster, manufacturing slower. Related roles include: Aerospace Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, Thermal Engineer, Test Engineer, Project Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, PE Mechanical.

How can a Mechanical Engineer in South Carolina reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Average Mechanical Engineer pay in South Carolina

$113,690/year

≈ $55/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $84,810–$133,480

US average: $113,610

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$83,854/year

$6,988/month · effective tax rate 26.24%

Federal $16,182
State $4,957
FICA $8,697
Take-home

Pay by role in South Carolina

Senior / Principal ME (any industry)BLS · 75th–90th percentile$133,480–$166,340
Manufacturing / Industrial EngineerBLS · 75th–90th percentile$123,490–$136,720
Mechanical Engineer (any industry)BLS · middle 50%$84,810–$133,480
EIT / Entry-Level MEBLS · 10th–25th percentile$74,260–$84,810

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$83,854
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,988
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,225
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$40/hr
Federal Tax	$16,182
State Tax	$4,957
FICA Taxes	$8,697
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	26.24%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Mechanical Engineers earn the same — not even close

South Carolina's mechanical engineer market is anchored by BMW Manufacturing Co. Spartanburg (~11K SC employees, BMW Group's largest global plant producing X3/X5/X6/X7/XM crossover SUVs with substantial in-house manufacturing engineering + powertrain + chassis), Boeing 787 North Charleston (~6K cleared aerospace ME for the only Boeing 787 final assembly outside Everett WA), Volvo Cars Charleston (~3K, S60 + EX90 EV manufacturing), Mercedes-Benz Vans Charleston (~1.6K, Sprinter + Metris), Bosch Charleston (fuel injection + automotive electronics), Lockheed Martin Greenville F-16 production, Michelin NA Greenville tire R&D, plus Sonoco Products HQ packaging ME.

Senior / Principal ME (any industry)

$133,480–$166,340

BMW + Boeing + Michelin + Lockheed senior IC · technical fellow track · 10-15 patents typical

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · South Carolina · 75th–90th percentile

Manufacturing / Industrial Engineer

$123,490–$136,720

Plant manufacturing engineering · SC Fortune 500 · Six Sigma Black Belt premium

Source: BLS May 2025 · Industrial Engineers · South Carolina · 75th–90th percentile

Mechanical Engineer (any industry)

$84,810–$133,480

Functional ME at SC Fortune 500 · transitioning to senior band · MS + PE-track

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · South Carolina · middle 50%

EIT / Entry-Level ME

$74,260–$84,810

Clemson ME + USC ME + The Citadel ME + College of Charleston pipeline · FE/EIT track

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · South Carolina · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Clemson International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) Greenville is the country's only graduate engineering school co-located with a luxury automotive manufacturer and a feature most national ME surveys understate for SC. CU-ICAR (post-2007 BMW Manufacturing + state of SC + Clemson University partnership, ~250-acre campus in Greenville with substantial automotive engineering research + Clemson's Department of Automotive Engineering MS + PhD programs, ~200 graduate students focused on automotive systems integration) operates substantial industry-university automotive research — BMW + Michelin + Bosch + Continental + ZF + multiple OEM + tier-1 suppliers maintain research presence at CU-ICAR. Senior CU-ICAR R&D engineers clear $130-205K TC. BMW Manufacturing Co. Spartanburg (BMW Group's largest global plant) operates substantial in-house manufacturing engineering + chassis + powertrain + body engineering supporting global X-series production. Boeing 787 North Charleston anchors cleared aerospace ME — Boeing's planned 787 production rate increases through 2026 support substantial structural + assembly engineering work. Michelin North America HQ Greenville operates substantial tire + polymer R&D. Lockheed Martin Greenville F-16 production supports cleared defense ME. SC's 5.21% top rate (H.4216, 2026) applies above $30,000 of SC taxable income, so it reaches nearly all senior principal + R&D engineer comp — and it is far below OR/MN's 9.85-9.9% tops.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and South Carolina 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers