EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025

Petroleum Engineer Salary
in Charleston, SC

Develop methods to extract oil and gas from below the Earth's surface. Median salary in Charleston: $142K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$142K
per year
Take-home: $91K

Salary range in Charleston

Entry level (25th)$108,000
Median (50th)$142,000
Senior (75th)$184,000
Top earner (90th)$235,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Charleston, South Carolina.

Key facts for Charleston

Median salary
$142K
annual
Take-home pay
$91K
after fed/state tax
COL index
105
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.5%
annual
Avg 1BR rent
$1,750
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Charleston Petroleum Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $151K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Charleston

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Petroleum Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$119K$127K$135K$143K$151K201920212023202520272029
2026
$144K
projected
2027
$145K
projected
2028
$147K
projected
2029
$149K
projected
2030
$151K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$145,000+$3,000
2028 projected$147,000+$5,000
2029 projected$149,000+$7,000
2030 projected$151,000+$9,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Petroleum Engineer Salary in Charleston, South Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Charleston, SC is $142,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Charleston–SC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Petroleum Engineer in Charleston

Entry-level Petroleum Engineers in Charleston with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $108,000 and $142,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $142,000 to $184,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $184,000 to $235,000 or more.

Cost of living in Charleston for Petroleum Engineers

Charleston has a cost of living index of 105 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Charleston are close to the national average. South Carolina has a 6.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Petroleum Engineer

Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Petroleum Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Charleston (current)$142K105
Columbia88
North Charleston95
Greenville92