Charleston Employment

Employment and Industries in the Charleston, South Carolina Area

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:

US Navy C/O Naval Weapons Station
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston County School District
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co Inc
Robert Bosch Corporation
Charleston County Local Government
Walmart
Force Protection Inc
Trident Medical Center
City of Charleston
Santee Cooper Electric Utility
Bi-Lo Stores
MeadWestvaco Corporation
US Postal Service
College of Charleston
Eagan McAllister Associates, Inc
Giant Cement Company
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

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.

Contact Accredited Schools With Online Options

Lots of Locations
Business/Accounting
Computers & IT
DeVry University Online

Online or On Campus
Business/MBA
Teaching
Nursing & Medical Admin

Lots of Locations
Technician Programs
Criminal Justice
ITT Tech Online

Attend Online
Nursing
Education
Legal Studies

Most Popular Jobs in Charleston, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

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	Electrical engineers	340	80,000	$51,230 - 108,400	6%	81%
43	Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	340	33,140	$18,820 - 46,780	15%	51%
44	Engineering managers	340	100,850	$67,740 - 141,760	7%	84%
45	Sales and related workers, all other	340		$ -	14%	62%
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	Legislators	250	15,040	$12,860 - 16,440	1%	65%
59	Marketing managers	250	94,980	$53,110 - 158,970	14%	69%
60	Computer specialists, all other	250	75,250	$31,310 - 101,760	15%	68%
61	Musicians and singers	240		$ -	10%	53%
62	Personal financial advisors	230	69,170	$30,590 - 103,070	41%	81%
63	Managers, all other	230	75,330	$44,700 - 124,180	7%	55%
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	Vocational education teachers, secondary school	130	50,530	$34,500 - 66,740	0%	96%
84	Dietitians and nutritionists	130	46,870	$30,290 - 62,510	9%	72%
85	Meeting and convention planners	130	39,560	$27,410 - 57,560	20%	67%
86	Editors	130	57,900	$35,290 - 81,040	2%	81%
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	Chiropractors	110	86,220	$42,700 - 155,360	14%	98%
93	Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture	110	26,640	$17,760 - 37,620	12%	58%
94	Veterinarians	110		$ -	35%	100%
95	Biological technicians	110	38,770	$22,520 - 55,880	16%	60%
96	Operations research analysts	110	65,090	$38,140 - 101,190	11%	71%
97	Detectives and criminal investigators	110	69,950	$37,540 - 99,100	17%	54%
98	Purchasing managers	110	84,970	$49,850 - 113,880	3%	57%
99	Advertising and promotions managers	100	55,570	$31,230 - 66,160	6%	76%
100	Biological scientists, all other	100	68,190	$41,610 - 98,710	4%	95%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

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	Office clerks, general	6,320	24,620	$15,350 - 35,210	13%	19%
4	Waiters and waitresses	6,320	18,100	$12,910 - 30,240	11%	14%
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	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	2,880	21,850	$16,640 - 28,320	18%	6%
18	Team assemblers	2,880	31,360	$17,760 - 57,480	0%	5%
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	Bill and account collectors	2,090	25,980	$20,750 - 34,310	23%	13%
28	Teacher assistants	2,090	21,070	$14,300 - 28,650	10%	18%
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	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	1,090	39,000	$29,390 - 50,570	14%	7%
51	Insurance sales agents	1,090	39,020	$21,070 - 70,230	13%	45%
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	Construction managers	760	82,690	$51,550 - 122,250	16%	29%
76	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	760	19,410	$13,440 - 26,970	11%	5%
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	Dental assistants	570	31,400	$18,060 - 41,910	29%	9%
92	Driver/sales workers	570	26,840	$13,760 - 41,090	-4%	4%
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%

You are visiting:
All States > South Carolina > Charleston > Work

Get Career Skills Online in Charleston

Online and On Campus
Business/Accounting
Computers & IT
Homeland Security

100% Online
Business/MBA
Education Degrees
Human Services & Counseling

Additional Details

Charleston Colleges
Charleston colleges and trade schools.

Charleston Hotels & Travel
Charleston hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.

Charleston Mortgage
Charleston property, mortgage, and real estate.

Career Schools in Charleston

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all South Carolina Colleges.)

ECPI College of Technology
Charleston, South Carolina

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Engineering, Engineering Technician, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Degree, Diploma
Request Info From The School

Miller Motte Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina

Programs: Beauty And Cosmetology, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Construction Trades, Engineering Technician, Law, Mechanics And Repair, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Office And Administration, Production Trades, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma
Request Info From The School

The Art Institutes
Charleston, South Carolina

Programs: Architecture And Planning, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Cooking And Culinary Arts, Design, Drama And Performing Arts, Engineering Technician, Hospitality, Media, Music, Photography And Commercial Art
Degrees/Course Work: Advanced Diploma, Associate, Bachelor, Bachelor , Certificate, Diploma
Request Info From The School

Jobs More Common Near Charleston Than Most Other Cities

* 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

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Charleston, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

* 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

Highest Paying Jobs in Charleston, South Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs
Surgeons	218,270	90
Internists, general	210,810	110
Physicians and surgeons, all other	176,160	350
Family and general practitioners	173,050	240
Dentists, general	169,950	190
Chief executives	161,660	1,150
Obstetricians and gynecologists	160,130	80
Natural sciences managers	111,740	60
Lawyers	111,080	830
Engineering managers	100,850	340
Pharmacists	100,820	840
Computer and information systems managers	98,830	460
Sales managers	95,860	670
Marketing managers	94,980	250
General and operations managers	93,170	3,980
Optometrists	92,990	40
Industrial production managers	87,600	300
Financial managers	87,290	990
Chiropractors	86,220	110
Education administrators, postsecondary	85,310	140
Purchasing managers	84,970	110
Medical and health services managers	83,610	670
Training and development managers	83,130	70
Construction managers	82,690	760
Electronics engineers, except computer	82,270	640
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	82,070	380
Human resources managers, all other	81,430	90
Architects, except landscape and naval	81,220	390
Computer and information scientists, research	81,180	150
Compensation and benefits managers	80,650	40
Electrical engineers	80,000	340
Physician assistants	78,750	100
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	76,780	580
Public relations managers	76,090	190
Mechanical engineers	75,610	520
Managers, all other	75,330	230
Computer specialists, all other	75,250	250
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	74,890	440
Biomedical engineers	74,810
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers	73,540	160
Financial specialists, all other	73,520	170
Computer software engineers, applications	73,060	310
Computer hardware engineers	72,350	270
Environmental engineers	71,980	150
Civil engineers	71,690	600
Loan officers	71,420	430
Engineers, all other	70,810	150
Biochemists and biophysicists	70,470	40
Orthotists and prosthetists	69,960
Detectives and criminal investigators	69,950	110

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.

Career Videos. Professional videos on 800+ jobs, featuring actual employees.

Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career Reference and Data

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.

Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.

Top Cities for each career. Lists and maps; salaries by city.

Top Industries. Lists of major hiring industries by career, with salaries.

City Comparisons, showing most common jobs, highest paying, etc.

Original Career Articles and Studies

Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.

Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".

Interactive College Search Tools

College Search Scout™. Search by degree, location, major, athletics, etc.

CollegeMatch™. Find school most similar to one of interest.

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.

Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.

Exceptional Schools. Lists of the "best/most/highest/lowest" schools.

HTML For Linking To This Page

Please share this employment resource