The Charleston region is a center of finance, industry, distribution and retail trade. The region's transportation systems are a major economic asset. Healthcare, finance, automotive, professional services, telecommunications and tourism are important economic sectors for Charleston.
For years the chemical industry has been a major economic component for the region. Chemical companies in the area include Monsanto, Union Carbide Corporation, FMC, Clearon Corp and E.I. du Pont de Nemours. Other industries having significant roles in the region's economy are glass manufacturing, steel fabricating and energy development.
The Business and Industrial Development Corporation provides a variety of services to new and existing businesses. The organization provides assistance with worker training, financing, engineering services, professional economic development and site selection.
In Charleston the sectors providing the most jobs are trade, transportation and utilities; government, healthcare, education, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, financial activities and manufacturing.
Approximately 38% of the jobs are provided by management, professional and related occupations. About 25% of the workers have sale and office jobs. About 17% of the labor force is working in service jobs.
Top employers in the Charleston metro area:
Notable facts about Charleston, South Carolina: Average earnings in 2009: $34,000. The cost of living index in 2008: 94.0 (U.S. average: 100). Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree: 38%.
Some of the helpful organizations that provide assistance to local businesses are:
The Charleston Regional Business Journal provides news regarding business and the economy in Charleston, South Carolina.
| Rank | Title | Local Jobs | Local Mean Salary | Typical Local Salary | National Growth % 2006-2016 | National % With College Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered nurses | 8,490 | 60,420 | $43,540 - 79,300 | 24% | 56% |
| 2 | Elementary school teachers, except special education | 3,210 | 43,920 | $29,460 - 61,850 | 14% | 95% |
| 3 | Accountants and auditors | 2,420 | 59,840 | $34,850 - 91,230 | 18% | 79% |
| 4 | Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education | 2,140 | 46,950 | $32,730 - 64,280 | 6% | 96% |
| 5 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 2,030 | 49,770 | $28,430 - 76,970 | 8% | 51% |
| 6 | Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education | 1,470 | 43,650 | $30,930 - 61,360 | 11% | 95% |
| 7 | Computer programmers | 1,290 | 55,620 | $36,100 - 80,900 | 0% | 73% |
| 8 | Management analysts | 1,260 | 63,200 | $37,790 - 91,660 | 22% | 78% |
| 9 | Chief executives | 1,150 | 161,660 | $89,530 - | 2% | 65% |
| 10 | Financial managers | 990 | 87,290 | $46,320 - 138,180 | 13% | 60% |
| 11 | Pharmacists | 840 | 100,820 | $83,380 - 127,130 | 22% | 97% |
| 12 | Lawyers | 830 | 111,080 | $55,740 - | 11% | 99% |
| 13 | Computer systems analysts | 810 | 61,570 | $40,650 - 90,240 | 29% | 68% |
| 14 | Social and human service assistants | 780 | 23,230 | $16,370 - 35,910 | 34% | 58% |
| 15 | Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation | 780 | 47,580 | $28,970 - 72,440 | 5% | 58% |
| 16 | Sales managers | 670 | 95,860 | $53,370 - 153,860 | 10% | 69% |
| 17 | Medical and health services managers | 670 | 83,610 | $55,540 - 119,610 | 16% | 57% |
| 18 | Child, family, and school social workers | 670 | 35,350 | $22,250 - 51,460 | 19% | 77% |
| 19 | Computer software engineers, systems software | 650 | 65,680 | $43,090 - 100,950 | 28% | 85% |
| 20 | Electronics engineers, except computer | 640 | 82,270 | $54,610 - 109,520 | 4% | 81% |
| 21 | Network and computer systems administrators | 630 | 55,970 | $38,550 - 80,340 | 27% | 50% |
| 22 | Civil engineers | 600 | 71,690 | $46,130 - 99,400 | 18% | 87% |
| 23 | Medical and clinical laboratory technologists | 540 | 51,700 | $37,000 - 66,990 | 12% | 51% |
| 24 | Mechanical engineers | 520 | 75,610 | $52,890 - 101,170 | 4% | 78% |
| 25 | Network systems and data communications analysts | 500 | 64,560 | $42,840 - 90,490 | 53% | 57% |
| 26 | Social workers, all other | 490 | 38,920 | $26,450 - 60,580 | 18% | 77% |
| 27 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products | 490 | 62,470 | $30,820 - 97,630 | 12% | 51% |
| 28 | Physical therapists | 480 | 69,640 | $50,070 - 91,910 | 27% | 89% |
| 29 | Industrial engineers | 470 | 68,550 | $45,210 - 94,950 | 20% | 74% |
| 30 | Computer and information systems managers | 460 | 98,830 | $70,290 - 136,590 | 16% | 73% |
| 31 | Teachers and instructors, all other | 450 | 33,140 | $13,450 - 63,570 | 9% | 54% |
| 32 | Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | 440 | 74,890 | $53,120 - 98,070 | 8% | 78% |
| 33 | Graphic designers | 430 | 38,240 | $24,300 - 52,640 | 10% | 55% |
| 34 | Self-enrichment education teachers | 430 | 33,270 | $17,060 - 52,980 | 23% | 54% |
| 35 | Educational, vocational, and school counselors | 430 | 47,390 | $26,550 - 67,580 | 13% | 73% |
| 36 | Rehabilitation counselors | 420 | 29,240 | $17,680 - 41,980 | 23% | 73% |
| 37 | Public relations specialists | 410 | 44,070 | $27,280 - 64,800 | 18% | 81% |
| 38 | Architects, except landscape and naval | 390 | 81,220 | $40,810 - | 18% | 88% |
| 39 | Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents | 380 | 82,070 | $26,670 - | 25% | 67% |
| 40 | Librarians | 370 | 47,370 | $32,920 - 64,510 | 4% | 85% |
| 41 | Producers and directors | 350 | $ - | 11% | 75% | |
| 42 | Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | 340 | 33,140 | $18,820 - 46,780 | 15% | 51% |
| 43 | Engineering managers | 340 | 100,850 | $67,740 - 141,760 | 7% | 84% |
| 44 | Sales and related workers, all other | 340 | $ - | 14% | 62% | |
| 45 | Electrical engineers | 340 | 80,000 | $51,230 - 108,400 | 6% | 81% |
| 46 | Training and development specialists | 330 | 46,440 | $25,490 - 65,100 | 18% | 56% |
| 47 | Medical and public health social workers | 320 | 42,600 | $27,900 - 61,170 | 24% | 77% |
| 48 | Computer software engineers, applications | 310 | 73,060 | $45,910 - 102,250 | 45% | 85% |
| 49 | Tax preparers | 290 | 30,310 | $18,390 - 52,980 | 0% | 54% |
| 50 | Advertising sales agents | 280 | 42,820 | $15,950 - 78,840 | 20% | 56% |
| 51 | Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists | 280 | 39,410 | $26,790 - 54,260 | 18% | 56% |
| 52 | Database administrators | 280 | 59,540 | $36,390 - 101,520 | 29% | 72% |
| 53 | Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other | 270 | 52,400 | $30,870 - 80,030 | 17% | 56% |
| 54 | Instructional coordinators | 270 | 52,390 | $26,840 - 79,720 | 23% | 79% |
| 55 | Computer hardware engineers | 270 | 72,350 | $51,180 - 98,700 | 5% | 70% |
| 56 | Special education teachers, secondary school | 260 | 38,370 | $18,870 - 58,280 | 9% | 87% |
| 57 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | 260 | 44,440 | $19,200 - 63,830 | 20% | 87% |
| 58 | Marketing managers | 250 | 94,980 | $53,110 - 158,970 | 14% | 69% |
| 59 | Legislators | 250 | 15,040 | $12,860 - 16,440 | 1% | 65% |
| 60 | Computer specialists, all other | 250 | 75,250 | $31,310 - 101,760 | 15% | 68% |
| 61 | Musicians and singers | 240 | $ - | 10% | 53% | |
| 62 | Managers, all other | 230 | 75,330 | $44,700 - 124,180 | 7% | 55% |
| 63 | Personal financial advisors | 230 | 69,170 | $30,590 - 103,070 | 41% | 81% |
| 64 | Floral designers | 210 | 23,510 | $16,780 - 31,050 | 0% | 55% |
| 65 | Coaches and scouts | 210 | 46,330 | $23,850 - 76,810 | 15% | 60% |
| 66 | Surveyors | 200 | 49,890 | $30,510 - 73,730 | 24% | 82% |
| 67 | Occupational therapists | 190 | 59,280 | $43,830 - 77,660 | 23% | 90% |
| 68 | Commercial pilots | 190 | 60,080 | $43,610 - 79,950 | 13% | 74% |
| 69 | Dentists, general | 190 | 169,950 | $66,540 - | 9% | 100% |
| 70 | Public relations managers | 190 | 76,090 | $49,680 - 103,390 | 17% | 75% |
| 71 | Market research analysts | 180 | 54,500 | $35,520 - 77,540 | 20% | 82% |
| 72 | Financial specialists, all other | 170 | 73,520 | $46,200 - 101,670 | 12% | 50% |
| 73 | Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists | 160 | 45,030 | $33,230 - 61,950 | 18% | 56% |
| 74 | Environmental engineers | 150 | 71,980 | $40,310 - 99,880 | 25% | 86% |
| 75 | Engineers, all other | 150 | 70,810 | $29,630 - 102,410 | 6% | 82% |
| 76 | Reporters and correspondents | 150 | 35,850 | $23,410 - 53,200 | 1% | 85% |
| 77 | Computer and information scientists, research | 150 | 81,180 | $57,330 - 101,960 | 22% | 68% |
| 78 | Chemists | 140 | 65,400 | $42,120 - 95,070 | 9% | 93% |
| 79 | Education administrators, postsecondary | 140 | 85,310 | $46,070 - 143,210 | 14% | 78% |
| 80 | Interior designers | 140 | 33,990 | $19,040 - 50,990 | 20% | 55% |
| 81 | Social and community service managers | 130 | 61,640 | $35,080 - 95,320 | 25% | 72% |
| 82 | Special education teachers, middle school | 130 | 45,610 | $30,050 - 64,800 | 16% | 87% |
| 83 | Meeting and convention planners | 130 | 39,560 | $27,410 - 57,560 | 20% | 67% |
| 84 | Vocational education teachers, secondary school | 130 | 50,530 | $34,500 - 66,740 | 0% | 96% |
| 85 | Editors | 130 | 57,900 | $35,290 - 81,040 | 2% | 81% |
| 86 | Dietitians and nutritionists | 130 | 46,870 | $30,290 - 62,510 | 9% | 72% |
| 87 | Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists | 130 | 63,560 | $39,010 - 78,580 | 16% | 99% |
| 88 | Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors | 130 | 34,860 | $15,990 - 54,040 | 14% | 54% |
| 89 | Community and social service specialists, all other | 120 | 25,720 | $18,110 - 33,480 | 25% | 58% |
| 90 | Occupational health and safety specialists | 120 | 51,240 | $30,600 - 78,240 | 8% | 72% |
| 91 | Speech-language pathologists | 120 | 57,450 | $40,810 - 76,920 | 11% | 98% |
| 92 | Operations research analysts | 110 | 65,090 | $38,140 - 101,190 | 11% | 71% |
| 93 | Chiropractors | 110 | 86,220 | $42,700 - 155,360 | 14% | 98% |
| 94 | Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture | 110 | 26,640 | $17,760 - 37,620 | 12% | 58% |
| 95 | Detectives and criminal investigators | 110 | 69,950 | $37,540 - 99,100 | 17% | 54% |
| 96 | Purchasing managers | 110 | 84,970 | $49,850 - 113,880 | 3% | 57% |
| 97 | Veterinarians | 110 | $ - | 35% | 100% | |
| 98 | Biological technicians | 110 | 38,770 | $22,520 - 55,880 | 16% | 60% |
| 99 | Biological scientists, all other | 100 | 68,190 | $41,610 - 98,710 | 4% | 95% |
| 100 | Budget analysts | 100 | 57,290 | $38,320 - 78,640 | 7% | 78% |
| Rank | Title | Local Jobs | Local Mean Salary | Typical Local Salary | National Growth % 2006-2016 | National % With College Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail salespersons | 9,950 | 25,530 | $14,930 - 39,580 | 12% | 25% |
| 2 | Cashiers | 9,100 | 16,850 | $13,040 - 21,740 | -2% | 10% |
| 3 | Waiters and waitresses | 6,320 | 18,100 | $12,910 - 30,240 | 11% | 14% |
| 4 | Office clerks, general | 6,320 | 24,620 | $15,350 - 35,210 | 13% | 19% |
| 5 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 5,700 | 16,010 | $12,870 - 20,700 | 18% | 5% |
| 6 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 5,450 | 22,510 | $15,240 - 32,640 | 2% | 5% |
| 7 | Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 4,890 | 19,850 | $13,490 - 31,060 | 15% | 4% |
| 8 | Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 4,300 | 31,030 | $22,570 - 40,430 | 1% | 18% |
| 9 | Customer service representatives | 4,070 | 29,370 | $18,430 - 40,950 | 25% | 22% |
| 10 | Stock clerks and order fillers | 4,070 | 22,500 | $14,780 - 33,170 | -7% | 8% |
| 11 | General and operations managers | 3,980 | 93,170 | $46,330 - 154,460 | 2% | 48% |
| 12 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | 3,800 | 33,480 | $18,730 - 51,670 | 10% | 6% |
| 13 | First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers | 3,610 | 44,400 | $27,510 - 64,460 | 6% | 29% |
| 14 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 3,590 | 31,880 | $21,610 - 43,660 | 13% | 16% |
| 15 | First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 3,200 | 41,480 | $22,890 - 64,110 | 4% | 25% |
| 16 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 3,200 | 35,780 | $26,080 - 48,240 | 10% | 4% |
| 17 | Team assemblers | 2,880 | 31,360 | $17,760 - 57,480 | 0% | 5% |
| 18 | Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 2,880 | 21,850 | $16,640 - 28,320 | 18% | 6% |
| 19 | Construction laborers | 2,670 | 28,470 | $17,580 - 42,910 | 11% | 5% |
| 20 | Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 2,540 | 18,440 | $13,410 - 25,140 | 13% | 5% |
| 21 | First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers | 2,500 | 31,060 | $20,060 - 45,660 | 11% | 14% |
| 22 | Food preparation workers | 2,430 | 16,930 | $13,100 - 21,930 | 15% | 7% |
| 23 | Receptionists and information clerks | 2,330 | 24,280 | $17,300 - 31,700 | 17% | 13% |
| 24 | Carpenters | 2,270 | 34,100 | $22,820 - 45,650 | 10% | 6% |
| 25 | Truck drivers, light or delivery services | 2,270 | 25,810 | $14,930 - 42,400 | 8% | 4% |
| 26 | Cooks, restaurant | 2,230 | 22,780 | $15,200 - 31,350 | 12% | 5% |
| 27 | Teacher assistants | 2,090 | 21,070 | $14,300 - 28,650 | 10% | 18% |
| 28 | Bill and account collectors | 2,090 | 25,980 | $20,750 - 34,310 | 23% | 13% |
| 29 | Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | 2,060 | 22,910 | $17,270 - 30,430 | 18% | 7% |
| 30 | Security guards | 2,020 | 25,700 | $16,150 - 43,290 | 17% | 13% |
| 31 | First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 1,920 | 53,670 | $36,680 - 75,380 | 9% | 10% |
| 32 | Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 1,880 | 40,520 | $28,300 - 55,860 | 15% | 18% |
| 33 | Medical assistants | 1,860 | 26,330 | $20,150 - 33,510 | 35% | 10% |
| 34 | Cooks, fast food | 1,850 | 16,470 | $13,100 - 20,120 | 8% | 5% |
| 35 | Electricians | 1,810 | 39,710 | $27,860 - 52,210 | 7% | 7% |
| 36 | Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 1,690 | 37,810 | $28,440 - 49,530 | 11% | 33% |
| 37 | Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 1,690 | 28,910 | $17,130 - 45,590 | 4% | 6% |
| 38 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 1,610 | 35,870 | $17,030 - 55,610 | 14% | 4% |
| 39 | Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 1,570 | 16,080 | $13,000 - 20,200 | 10% | 8% |
| 40 | Child care workers | 1,550 | 17,450 | $13,300 - 22,680 | 18% | 15% |
| 41 | Home health aides | 1,540 | 21,010 | $16,530 - 26,500 | 49% | 7% |
| 42 | Packers and packagers, hand | 1,500 | 18,650 | $13,450 - 25,430 | -11% | 3% |
| 43 | Industrial truck and tractor operators | 1,430 | 34,000 | $21,190 - 56,290 | -1% | 2% |
| 44 | Bartenders | 1,390 | 18,240 | $13,050 - 30,210 | 11% | 17% |
| 45 | First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | 1,330 | 54,440 | $35,680 - 76,830 | 7% | 13% |
| 46 | Dishwashers | 1,320 | 16,120 | $13,000 - 20,150 | 10% | 3% |
| 47 | First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers | 1,310 | 54,040 | $34,420 - 78,050 | -4% | 15% |
| 48 | Tellers | 1,240 | 25,780 | $20,750 - 31,820 | 14% | 16% |
| 49 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 1,120 | 36,550 | $26,280 - 52,770 | -6% | 14% |
| 50 | Insurance sales agents | 1,090 | 39,020 | $21,070 - 70,230 | 13% | 45% |
| 51 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 1,090 | 39,000 | $29,390 - 50,570 | 14% | 7% |
| 52 | Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | 1,080 | 30,340 | $15,170 - 53,880 | 12% | 6% |
| 53 | Fire fighters | 1,070 | 30,070 | $19,530 - 45,760 | 12% | 18% |
| 54 | Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 1,060 | 16,780 | $13,130 - 21,430 | 10% | 17% |
| 55 | Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | 1,050 | 30,270 | $21,630 - 42,170 | 4% | 15% |
| 56 | Helpers--production workers | 1,040 | 27,490 | $16,390 - 48,790 | 0% | 4% |
| 57 | Amusement and recreation attendants | 1,020 | 17,370 | $13,080 - 24,400 | 24% | 22% |
| 58 | Counter and rental clerks | 1,010 | 23,670 | $15,440 - 33,290 | 23% | 16% |
| 59 | Pharmacy technicians | 1,000 | 27,350 | $18,300 - 36,810 | 32% | 16% |
| 60 | Medical secretaries | 990 | 31,990 | $21,690 - 43,920 | 17% | 18% |
| 61 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 980 | 34,890 | $26,480 - 42,440 | 11% | 4% |
| 62 | Industrial machinery mechanics | 980 | 43,090 | $32,170 - 51,670 | 9% | 5% |
| 63 | Bus drivers, school | 970 | 19,810 | $13,070 - 28,500 | 9% | 4% |
| 64 | Paralegals and legal assistants | 940 | 42,220 | $29,350 - 55,550 | 22% | 45% |
| 65 | Personal and home care aides | 930 | 19,740 | $16,160 - 25,400 | 51% | 10% |
| 66 | Painters, construction and maintenance | 920 | 31,730 | $23,370 - 41,740 | 12% | 6% |
| 67 | Sales representatives, services, all other | 900 | 44,190 | $26,330 - 63,340 | 28% | 48% |
| 68 | Business operations specialists, all other | 900 | 59,590 | $25,990 - 93,630 | 21% | 49% |
| 69 | Cooks, short order | 850 | 18,740 | $13,530 - 25,080 | 5% | 5% |
| 70 | Switchboard operators, including answering service | 850 | 21,470 | $17,130 - 25,370 | -7% | 10% |
| 71 | Electrical and electronic engineering technicians | 830 | 61,190 | $37,960 - 90,530 | 4% | 18% |
| 72 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | 820 | 33,750 | $24,320 - 43,970 | 5% | 2% |
| 73 | Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | 810 | 38,070 | $26,580 - 50,460 | 9% | 3% |
| 74 | Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 770 | 15,860 | $12,840 - 19,560 | 12% | 6% |
| 75 | Cooks, institution and cafeteria | 760 | 19,410 | $13,440 - 26,970 | 11% | 5% |
| 76 | Construction managers | 760 | 82,690 | $51,550 - 122,250 | 16% | 29% |
| 77 | Machinists | 760 | 34,710 | $22,850 - 50,600 | -2% | 3% |
| 78 | Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks | 750 | 21,420 | $16,600 - 27,010 | 17% | 14% |
| 79 | Interviewers, except eligibility and loan | 740 | 28,020 | $22,090 - 34,780 | 10% | 24% |
| 80 | Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | 740 | 19,550 | $13,230 - 31,050 | 14% | 3% |
| 81 | Helpers--electricians | 700 | 23,580 | $14,570 - 31,530 | 7% | 3% |
| 82 | Preschool teachers, except special education | 670 | 25,440 | $14,720 - 45,560 | 26% | 43% |
| 83 | Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | 650 | 36,270 | $25,940 - 48,420 | 12% | 3% |
| 84 | Postal service mail carriers | 640 | 1% | 11% | ||
| 85 | Cost estimators | 620 | 53,400 | $33,160 - 89,500 | 19% | 32% |
| 86 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | 610 | 33,360 | $23,570 - 44,170 | 8% | 3% |
| 87 | File clerks | 600 | 19,180 | $13,120 - 29,070 | -40% | 20% |
| 88 | Legal secretaries | 590 | 33,030 | $26,620 - 40,110 | 12% | 18% |
| 89 | Food service managers | 580 | 49,530 | $32,860 - 72,310 | 5% | 24% |
| 90 | First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers | 580 | 76,780 | $40,510 - 123,440 | 4% | 38% |
| 91 | Driver/sales workers | 570 | 26,840 | $13,760 - 41,090 | -4% | 4% |
| 92 | Dental assistants | 570 | 31,400 | $18,060 - 41,910 | 29% | 9% |
| 93 | Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance | 570 | 37,290 | $22,350 - 51,760 | 2% | 11% |
| 94 | First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers | 540 | 31,880 | $21,240 - 47,530 | 13% | 11% |
| 95 | Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | 540 | 55,630 | $34,040 - 85,310 | 0% | 42% |
| 96 | First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators | 530 | 50,660 | $30,320 - 71,090 | 10% | 17% |
| 97 | Data entry keyers | 530 | 26,120 | $18,690 - 33,920 | -4% | 18% |
| 98 | Refuse and recyclable material collectors | 500 | 26,580 | $20,050 - 37,970 | 7% | 3% |
| 99 | Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors | 500 | 34,550 | $17,540 - 58,790 | 27% | 47% |
| 100 | Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | 490 | 34,950 | $21,650 - 47,880 | 19% | 14% |
| Charleston Colleges Charleston colleges and trade schools. |
| Charleston Graduate Schools Charleston Graduate and Business Schools |
| Charleston Hotels & Travel Charleston hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
| Charleston Mortgage Charleston property, mortgage, and real estate. |
Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.
(Also see all South Carolina Colleges.)
* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0
| Title | Mean Local Salary | Local Jobs | Pop. vs. Avg.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorboat operators | 320 | 175.7 | |
| Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers | 35,030 | 110 | 10.2 |
| Pourers and casters, metal | 46,270 | 150 | 9 |
| Tour guides and escorts | 23,010 | 380 | 7.6 |
| Material moving workers, all other | 45,840 | 460 | 7 |
| Gaming and sports book writers and runners | 16,830 | 110 | 7 |
| Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders | 47,150 | 150 | 6.3 |
| Crane and tower operators | 42,290 | 370 | 5.7 |
| Power plant operators | 42,960 | 200 | 5.7 |
| Locksmiths and safe repairers | 25,280 | 150 | 5.6 |
| Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders | 29,490 | 180 | 5 |
| Commercial pilots | 60,080 | 190 | 4.9 |
| Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture | 26,640 | 110 | 4.1 |
| Chemical plant and system operators | 45,290 | 240 | 3.9 |
| Social workers, all other | 38,920 | 490 | 3.7 |
| Real estate brokers | 340 | 3.6 | |
| Radio and television announcers | 41,620 | 160 | 3.6 |
| Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels | 40,800 | 190 | 3.5 |
| Desktop publishers | 32,560 | 140 | 3.4 |
| Musicians and singers | 240 | 3.4 | |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | 20,610 | 260 | 3.2 |
| Helpers--electricians | 23,580 | 700 | 3.1 |
| Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 32,180 | 120 | 3.1 |
| Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 25,860 | 460 | 3 |
| Computer and information scientists, research | 81,180 | 150 | 3 |
| Pipelayers | 30,300 | 300 | 3 |
| Medical equipment repairers | 34,740 | 180 | 2.8 |
| Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders | 32,920 | 330 | 2.8 |
| Tax preparers | 30,310 | 290 | 2.7 |
| Cooks, short order | 18,740 | 850 | 2.7 |
| Legislators | 15,040 | 250 | 2.7 |
| Producers and directors | 350 | 2.5 | |
| Switchboard operators, including answering service | 21,470 | 850 | 2.5 |
| Chiropractors | 86,220 | 110 | 2.5 |
| Pest control workers | 31,830 | 310 | 2.4 |
| Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders | 30,870 | 110 | 2.3 |
| Respiratory therapists | 52,920 | 480 | 2.3 |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technicians | 61,190 | 830 | 2.3 |
| Bill and account collectors | 25,980 | 2,090 | 2.3 |
| Biological scientists, all other | 68,190 | 100 | 2.2 |
| Lodging managers | 57,930 | 120 | 2.2 |
| Helpers--carpenters | 25,760 | 320 | 2.2 |
| Refuse and recyclable material collectors | 26,580 | 500 | 2.1 |
| Cardiovascular technologists and technicians | 50,510 | 200 | 2.1 |
| Electronics engineers, except computer | 82,270 | 640 | 2.1 |
| Rehabilitation counselors | 29,240 | 420 | 2.1 |
| Computer hardware engineers | 72,350 | 270 | 2.1 |
| Amusement and recreation attendants | 17,370 | 1,020 | 2 |
| Structural metal fabricators and fitters | 40,580 | 430 | 2 |
| Fire fighters | 30,070 | 1,070 | 2 |
* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0
| Title | Mean Local Salary | Salary Index * | Local Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pourers and casters, metal | 46,270 | 1.46 | 150 |
| Real estate sales agents | 63,780 | 1.36 | 410 |
| Massage therapists | 52,870 | 1.35 | 120 |
| Material moving workers, all other | 45,840 | 1.34 | 460 |
| Sewing machine operators | 29,830 | 1.33 | 230 |
| Coaches and scouts | 46,330 | 1.3 | 210 |
| Financial specialists, all other | 73,520 | 1.28 | 170 |
| Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders | 47,150 | 1.28 | 150 |
| Veterinary technologists and technicians | 34,750 | 1.21 | 210 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | 30,340 | 1.21 | 1,080 |
| Loan officers | 71,420 | 1.21 | 430 |
| Structural metal fabricators and fitters | 40,580 | 1.2 | 430 |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technicians | 61,190 | 1.18 | 830 |
| Editors | 57,900 | 1.17 | 130 |
| Helpers--production workers | 27,490 | 1.16 | 1,040 |
| Internists, general | 210,810 | 1.16 | 110 |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 69,950 | 1.16 | 110 |
| Team assemblers | 31,360 | 1.15 | 2,880 |
| Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors | 34,550 | 1.15 | 500 |
| Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping | 32,810 | 1.14 | 220 |
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 34,000 | 1.13 | 1,430 |
| Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders | 29,490 | 1.13 | 180 |
| Architectural and civil drafters | 48,870 | 1.12 | 300 |
| Architects, except landscape and naval | 81,220 | 1.12 | 390 |
| Computer specialists, all other | 75,250 | 1.12 | 250 |
| Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | 34,950 | 1.11 | 490 |
| Lodging managers | 57,930 | 1.11 | 120 |
| Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 32,310 | 1.11 | 330 |
| Medical secretaries | 31,990 | 1.1 | 990 |
| Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks | 21,420 | 1.1 | 750 |
| Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders | 28,750 | 1.1 | 420 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers | 76,780 | 1.1 | 580 |
| Chiropractors | 86,220 | 1.1 | 110 |
| Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks | 36,300 | 1.09 | 150 |
| Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 36,550 | 1.09 | 1,120 |
| Tellers | 25,780 | 1.09 | 1,240 |
| Parts salespersons | 33,150 | 1.09 | 400 |
| Lawyers | 111,080 | 1.08 | 830 |
| Social and community service managers | 61,640 | 1.08 | 130 |
| Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders | 32,920 | 1.08 | 330 |
| Chief executives | 161,660 | 1.07 | 1,150 |
| Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance | 37,290 | 1.07 | 570 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 41,480 | 1.07 | 3,200 |
| Painters, transportation equipment | 42,780 | 1.07 | 130 |
| Radio and television announcers | 41,620 | 1.07 | 160 |
| Residential advisors | 27,220 | 1.07 | 160 |
| Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 31,030 | 1.06 | 4,300 |
| Physical therapist aides | 26,330 | 1.06 | 110 |
| Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers | 35,030 | 1.06 | 110 |
| Family and general practitioners | 173,050 | 1.05 | 240 |
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