City Town Info

Charleston Employment

Employment and Industries in the Charleston, South Carolina Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Charleston than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Charleston.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Charleston.
  • A list of any large public companies in Charleston.

Most Popular Jobs in Charleston, South Carolina Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses5,76052,670$37,200 - 71,89024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education2,92042,510$30,120 - 57,72014%95%
3Accountants and auditors2,08057,080$32,020 - 86,81018%79%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products2,05049,590$23,880 - 84,8408%51%
5Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education1,91042,960$29,500 - 58,7106%96%
6Lawyers1,16099,330$44,840 - 011%99%
7Computer programmers96052,890$32,610 - 82,7800%73%
8Financial managers96077,970$44,540 - 120,71013%60%
9Chief executives950133,020$69,820 - 02%65%
10Management analysts89072,760$38,080 - 112,33022%78%
11Child, family, and school social workers83031,750$22,370 - 43,47019%77%
12Electronics engineers, except computer71077,040$46,140 - 103,3604%81%
13Civil engineers65064,520$41,120 - 92,12018%87%
14Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products64057,210$32,100 - 91,04012%51%
15Sales managers63086,360$43,000 - 141,63010%69%
16Mechanical engineers58063,290$32,970 - 88,7904%78%
17Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation57044,170$26,920 - 65,7805%58%
18Social and human service assistants56022,730$13,680 - 35,58034%58%
19Pharmacists55087,000$62,500 - 113,65022%97%
20Computer systems analysts54061,530$39,250 - 89,38029%68%
21Education administrators, elementary and secondary school49071,870$51,820 - 92,4308%78%
22Computer software engineers, systems software48062,750$40,420 - 103,79028%85%
23Medical and health services managers48063,420$38,730 - 96,98016%57%
24Physical therapists47059,990$42,490 - 85,43027%89%
25Librarians44044,380$29,070 - 63,8604%85%
26Industrial engineers44065,610$42,350 - 91,63020%74%
27Educational, vocational, and school counselors44048,210$26,010 - 73,79013%73%
28Teachers and instructors, all other43023,760$11,970 - 47,6409%54%
29Medical and clinical laboratory technicians38032,200$23,540 - 42,83015%51%
30Medical and clinical laboratory technologists37043,160$30,140 - 58,70012%51%
31Computer and information systems managers37085,130$48,330 - 125,80016%73%
32Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents340100,220$26,010 - 025%67%
33Rehabilitation counselors32033,810$17,570 - 47,17023%73%
34Self-enrichment education teachers32029,760$14,300 - 45,97023%54%
35Training and development specialists30046,410$29,270 - 66,86018%56%
36Public relations specialists30036,390$18,110 - 60,61018%81%
37Graphic designers28033,700$21,910 - 51,31010%55%
38Engineering managers27094,090$67,070 - 127,6507%84%
39Network and computer systems administrators27051,680$37,290 - 75,72027%50%
40Education administrators, postsecondary26082,970$38,760 - 131,23014%78%
41Coaches and scouts26034,280$13,150 - 65,24015%60%
42Advertising sales agents25051,440$20,360 - 91,01020%56%
43Dentists, general220114,650$69,150 - 09%100%
44Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other21048,860$14,880 - 78,86017%56%
45Dietitians and nutritionists21030,400$19,600 - 47,4209%72%
46Marketing managers20071,510$39,680 - 116,61014%69%
47Architects, except landscape and naval20076,910$48,730 - 113,13018%88%
48Vocational education teachers, secondary school20046,570$32,660 - 59,5800%96%
49Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists20035,680$21,820 - 57,33018%56%
50Database administrators20055,270$32,250 - 95,44029%72%
51Computer specialists, all other20075,660$54,460 - 100,73015%68%
52Special education teachers, middle school19042,530$27,680 - 57,66016%87%
53Legislators19013,910$11,330 - 15,9101%65%
54Chemists19057,620$32,050 - 89,2209%93%
55Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school19043,690$30,760 - 58,17020%87%
56Tax preparers19026,600$19,650 - 35,6500%54%
57Occupational therapists18058,660$47,180 - 75,19023%90%
58Environmental engineers18068,000$45,210 - 89,70025%86%
59Engineers, all other18055,830$29,780 - 94,5906%82%
60Instructional coordinators18062,360$27,210 - 95,63023%79%
61Managers, all other18073,970$41,730 - 122,8307%55%
62Medical and public health social workers18037,910$18,910 - 59,76024%77%
63Computer software engineers, applications17067,610$48,510 - 93,18045%85%
64Special education teachers, secondary school16040,620$26,700 - 56,8709%87%
65Financial analysts16045,560$30,170 - 64,04034%87%
66Financial specialists, all other16061,330$41,140 - 81,39012%50%
67Social and community service managers15052,610$29,730 - 91,91025%72%
68Surveyors15046,730$30,650 - 66,39024%82%
69Social workers, all other15046,920$29,240 - 67,22018%77%
70Speech-language pathologists15051,600$35,450 - 71,31011%98%
71Electrical engineers15068,890$48,810 - 93,6706%81%
72Computer hardware engineers14067,310$46,990 - 92,1305%70%
73Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists13054,580$38,440 - 70,92016%99%
74Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors13044,880$19,740 - 64,41014%54%
75Landscape architects12045,250$25,960 - 61,96016%88%
76Occupational health and safety specialists12042,660$20,790 - 73,1008%72%
77Purchasing managers12074,120$41,300 - 101,0203%57%
78Budget analysts12049,050$26,810 - 73,0507%78%
79Market research analysts12056,280$34,130 - 80,45020%82%
80Computer and information scientists, research12075,650$53,100 - 96,66022%68%
81Meeting and convention planners11034,970$24,490 - 51,48020%67%
82Floral designers11020,420$15,170 - 24,9800%55%
83Detectives and criminal investigators11064,520$34,630 - 94,43017%54%
84Interior designers11037,140$19,290 - 66,20020%55%
85Public relations managers11056,620$29,520 - 91,19017%75%
86Compensation and benefits managers10062,820$42,560 - 82,62012%58%
87Veterinarians10077,610$44,350 - 134,75035%100%
88Physician assistants10093,560$62,080 - 137,51027%67%
89Mental health and substance abuse social workers9033,720$23,130 - 49,97030%77%
90Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates9056,510$17,810 - 98,5005%99%
91Producers and directors9043,770$21,250 - 71,80011%75%
92Zoologists and wildlife biologists8049,210$28,310 - 74,0609%95%
93Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers8048,290$25,830 - 88,80022%93%
94Community and social service specialists, all other8025,790$16,910 - 32,05025%58%
95Health educators8034,910$21,380 - 48,03026%58%
96Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors8069,360$39,850 - 102,96010%74%
97Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists8035,700$26,140 - 49,21011%58%
98Technical writers8055,390$35,910 - 76,93020%74%
99Advertising and promotions managers7061,490$31,420 - 120,2306%76%
100Biological technicians7035,670$21,700 - 51,34016%60%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons10,35024,670$14,250 - 40,41012%25%
2Cashiers8,66015,640$11,930 - 21,030-2%10%
3Waiters and waitresses6,73015,190$11,640 - 19,38011%14%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food6,30015,290$11,720 - 21,57018%5%
5Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand5,97028,250$15,100 - 63,3802%5%
6Office clerks, general5,25022,540$14,290 - 32,01013%19%
7Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners4,65016,510$11,950 - 22,44015%4%
8Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive4,63027,720$19,650 - 37,9101%18%
9General and operations managers4,28082,920$39,330 - 144,2002%48%
10Customer service representatives4,24028,670$19,250 - 40,08025%22%
11Team assemblers3,90026,910$16,780 - 36,4600%5%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks3,71030,390$19,170 - 43,58013%16%
13Maintenance and repair workers, general3,45032,020$17,430 - 51,26010%6%
14Stock clerks and order fillers3,36020,910$13,430 - 30,720-7%8%
15Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer3,22032,070$20,510 - 45,74010%4%
16Construction laborers2,99023,280$15,250 - 34,29011%5%
17Carpenters2,83032,010$21,240 - 43,49010%6%
18Landscaping and groundskeeping workers2,77019,370$13,610 - 26,14018%6%
19First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers2,66042,890$25,650 - 63,3806%29%
20First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers2,64039,110$23,170 - 59,6504%25%
21Maids and housekeeping cleaners2,50016,820$12,270 - 22,21013%5%
22Teacher assistants2,43019,210$12,460 - 30,66010%18%
23Cooks, restaurant2,35020,470$13,360 - 27,22012%5%
24Food preparation workers2,19016,490$12,110 - 21,63015%7%
25Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants2,14019,030$15,030 - 24,54018%7%
26Security guards2,13022,440$12,610 - 41,23017%13%
27Receptionists and information clerks2,09022,370$15,880 - 29,84017%13%
28Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,99024,620$13,430 - 41,1408%4%
29First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers1,93048,810$33,950 - 65,3909%10%
30Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,91036,060$24,950 - 51,38015%18%
31Automotive service technicians and mechanics1,85035,330$19,150 - 54,94014%4%
32First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers1,82029,170$17,510 - 41,17011%14%
33Police and sheriff's patrol officers1,70035,410$26,520 - 45,58011%33%
34Electricians1,67037,360$25,540 - 48,8007%7%
35Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks1,61030,570$17,480 - 48,6904%6%
36Packers and packagers, hand1,56017,280$12,120 - 23,120-11%3%
37Industrial truck and tractor operators1,50033,510$19,500 - 62,610-1%2%
38Bill and account collectors1,49027,150$20,510 - 36,12023%13%
39Medical assistants1,48024,990$18,680 - 32,57035%10%
40Driver/sales workers1,44019,750$11,780 - 35,900-4%4%
41Cooks, short order1,42017,370$12,550 - 22,8905%5%
42Child care workers1,42015,610$11,880 - 20,76018%15%
43Tellers1,33021,680$16,550 - 27,96014%16%
44Business operations specialists, all other1,26056,700$28,640 - 83,48021%49%
45Amusement and recreation attendants1,17017,010$12,250 - 23,98024%22%
46Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses1,16035,300$25,340 - 45,59014%7%
47Electrical and electronic engineering technicians1,15053,880$31,900 - 79,6404%18%
48Cooks, fast food1,15015,000$11,620 - 19,6108%5%
49First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers1,13053,850$31,760 - 80,660-4%15%
50Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers1,10032,020$16,940 - 49,980-6%14%
51First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers1,08049,150$29,570 - 68,8907%13%
52Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters1,08034,370$24,300 - 45,83011%4%
53Bartenders1,07016,210$11,670 - 25,83011%17%
54Home health aides1,03018,160$14,950 - 22,73049%7%
55Bus drivers, school1,02018,200$12,610 - 24,5109%4%
56Dishwashers1,00015,140$11,860 - 18,38010%3%
57Medical secretaries95027,700$19,990 - 39,84017%18%
58Billing and posting clerks and machine operators92028,130$20,000 - 38,6004%15%
59Correctional officers and jailers87028,720$22,740 - 36,18017%11%
60Counter and rental clerks87021,970$13,370 - 32,29023%16%
61Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop84014,760$11,640 - 18,51010%8%
62Insurance sales agents83039,300$13,800 - 76,28013%45%
63Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators83032,170$23,520 - 42,6108%3%
64Computer support specialists82043,520$26,500 - 63,89013%43%
65Fire fighters81028,110$19,040 - 42,83012%18%
66Helpers--production workers80026,270$15,080 - 44,1600%4%
67Helpers--electricians79023,550$17,320 - 30,7007%3%
68Pharmacy technicians79025,470$17,180 - 34,71032%16%
69Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks77019,590$15,490 - 24,84017%14%
70Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop77015,240$11,800 - 19,52010%17%
71Cooks, institution and cafeteria75018,290$13,230 - 24,84011%5%
72Painters, construction and maintenance72030,390$23,720 - 37,99012%6%
73Preschool teachers, except special education70020,180$12,610 - 29,92026%43%
74Legal secretaries69031,630$23,750 - 43,29012%18%
75Administrative services managers68050,750$29,980 - 80,50012%40%
76Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers67020,650$13,840 - 27,24012%0%
77Payroll and timekeeping clerks630 $[?] - [?]3%18%
78Construction managers63080,320$48,170 - 137,32016%29%
79Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers63035,090$24,690 - 46,6609%3%
80Machinists63034,020$21,490 - 49,030-2%3%
81Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists62027,600$12,770 - 45,34012%6%
82Data entry keyers61024,190$17,720 - 30,710-4%18%
83Postal service mail carriers61043,050$33,380 - 56,1501%11%
84Crane and tower operators61049,310$31,450 - 69,5703%0%
85Food servers, nonrestaurant61017,270$14,190 - 21,75016%9%
86Cleaners of vehicles and equipment58018,410$12,290 - 27,79014%3%
87Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers58014,650$11,660 - 19,21012%6%
88Paralegals and legal assistants58038,960$26,550 - 54,98022%45%
89Production, planning, and expediting clerks56040,870$24,630 - 65,6004%30%
90Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers56034,440$26,080 - 44,5605%2%
91Chefs and head cooks55036,330$27,110 - 45,7508%14%
92Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters54023,500$16,970 - 29,93012%3%
93Library technicians52023,370$16,090 - 32,0009%27%
94Parts salespersons51030,430$18,750 - 44,580-1%6%
95Loan officers51041,800$26,580 - 68,38012%49%
96Dental assistants50034,490$22,090 - 45,73029%9%
97Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products50054,200$32,670 - 80,3200%42%
98Helpers--carpenters49020,550$15,190 - 27,42012%3%
99Personal and home care aides48017,330$14,850 - 21,77051%10%
100Real estate sales agents48041,020$21,780 - 74,49011%45%
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Jobs More Common Near Charleston Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Floor sanders and finishers28,97011040.9
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators26,61039014.2
Power plant operators41,7402209.1
Tour guides and escorts18,1603208.9
Crane and tower operators49,3106108.5
Pourers and casters, metal42,4701208
Transportation inspectors61,0502307.9
Respiratory therapy technicians38,5701305.5
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary59,6201004.8
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders38,6302304.5
Cooks, short order17,3701,4204.2
Helpers--electricians23,5507904.1
Landscape architects45,2501203.7
Baggage porters and bellhops16,1803003.6
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels44,6301803.6
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters23,5005403.6
Sailors and marine oilers26,2101503.4
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders29,7001403.3
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians53,8801,1503.3
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary57,5401903.2
Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers26,0001302.8
Psychology teachers, postsecondary58,1901102.8
Helpers--carpenters20,5504902.7
Library technicians23,3705202.7
Electronics engineers, except computer77,0407102.7
Computer and information scientists, research75,6501202.7
Legislators13,9101902.6
Pipelayers27,3802602.6
Education teachers, postsecondary60,7801902.6
Chefs and head cooks36,3305502.6
Amusement and recreation attendants17,0101,1702.5
Broadcast technicians20,8301502.4
Tax preparers26,6001902.4
Biological science teachers, postsecondary57,0801402.4
Lodging managers50,4001202.4
Appraisers and assessors of real estate42,7102602.4
Pest control workers32,1502902.3
Civil engineering technicians37,8403902.3
Structural iron and steel workers37,5602502.3
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers43,3001202.3
Dietitians and nutritionists30,4002102.2
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary56,4201802.2
Refuse and recyclable material collectors24,6904002.2
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators27,3702102.1
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers18,6602802.1
Surveying and mapping technicians30,7702802.1
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers20,6506702.1
Correctional officers and jailers28,7208702.1
Cargo and freight agents37,8303102.1
Millwrights 1202.1

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Charleston, South Carolina Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Pourers and casters, metal42,4701.41120
Sewing machine operators26,7301.28300
Mechanical drafters56,0501.27180
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders29,7001.26140
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand28,2501.255,970
Demonstrators and product promoters30,9701.24120
Computer specialists, all other75,6601.23200
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents100,2201.22340
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists27,6001.21620
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other62,0901.2110
Machine feeders and offbearers28,8001.2320
Industrial truck and tractor operators33,5101.181,500
Crane and tower operators49,3101.18610
Helpers--production workers26,2701.17800
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors32,6901.16350
Electrical and electronics drafters55,7101.15110
Dental assistants34,4901.15500
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,5701.151,610
Detectives and criminal investigators64,5201.14110
Architectural and civil drafters47,1701.14290
Financial specialists, all other61,3301.14160
Advertising sales agents51,4401.13250
Instructional coordinators62,3601.13180
Architects, except landscape and naval76,9101.13200
Photographic processing machine operators23,5701.11160
Industrial production managers88,9901.11270
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians53,8801.11,150
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors44,8801.09130
Tire repairers and changers24,6701.09260
Computer support specialists43,5201.09820
Pest control workers32,1501.09290
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products54,2001.09500
Education teachers, postsecondary60,7801.09190
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand44,3901.09330
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders38,6301.09230
Chemical technicians42,9501.08160
Assemblers and fabricators, all other26,8101.07350
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers53,8501.071,130
Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers38,3401.07220
All other information and record clerks32,9001.07440
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,5901.06770
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators55,3501.06350
Education administrators, postsecondary82,9701.06260
Office and administrative support workers, all other30,5401.06140
Production, planning, and expediting clerks40,8701.06560
Team assemblers26,9101.053,900
Retail salespersons24,6701.0510,350
Social workers, all other46,9201.05150
Management analysts72,7601.05890
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers39,1101.042,640

Highest Paying Jobs in Charleston, South Carolina Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Surgeons198,660 
Obstetricians and gynecologists162,960 
Family and general practitioners137,170340
Chief executives133,020950
Physicians and surgeons, all other127,660220
Dentists, general114,650220
Natural sciences managers100,35030
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents100,220340
Lawyers99,3301,160
Engineering managers94,090270
Physician assistants93,560100
Industrial production managers88,990270
Pharmacists87,000550
Sales managers86,360630
Computer and information systems managers85,130370
Education administrators, postsecondary82,970260
General and operations managers82,9204,280
Personal financial advisors81,310 
Construction managers80,320630
Chemical engineers78,99030
Media and communication equipment workers, all other78,550 
Financial managers77,970960
Veterinarians77,610100
Electronics engineers, except computer77,040710
Architects, except landscape and naval76,910200
Training and development managers76,11050
Computer specialists, all other75,660200
Computer and information scientists, research75,650120
Human resources managers, all other75,61050
Purchasing managers74,120120
Managers, all other73,970180
Management analysts72,760890
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school71,870490
Marketing managers71,510200
Foresters70,54060
Credit analysts69,87050
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors69,36080
Electrical engineers68,890150
Environmental engineers68,000180
Law clerks67,960 
Network systems and data communications analysts67,850 
Computer software engineers, applications67,610170
Computer hardware engineers67,310140
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers67,080150
Industrial engineers65,610440
Detectives and criminal investigators64,520110
Civil engineers64,520650
Engineering teachers, postsecondary63,870 
Medical and health services managers63,420480
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers63,370320

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