How to Become an Electrical Engineer in South Carolina: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median electrical engineer salary in South Carolina is $98,440 per year - 18% below the national median of $120,630 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in electrical engineering.
Electrical Engineer Salary in South Carolina
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina entry level (10th percentile) | $69,260 |
| South Carolina 25th-75th percentile | $75,540 - $128,060 |
| South Carolina median | $98,440 |
| South Carolina top earners (90th percentile) | $156,330 |
| U.S. median | $120,630 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 3,490.
The South Carolina Job Market: Electrical Engineer
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in South Carolina | 3,490 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 1.51 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.18 |
| Mean annual wage in South Carolina | $104,580 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.18, South Carolina employs electrical engineers at a noticeably higher concentration than the national average: a strong local market for the credential.
Requirements in South Carolina
The education path is national - ABET-accredited bachelor’s in electrical engineering - while licensing runs through South Carolina’s own boards: PE license required for power/utility sign-off roles. Verify current requirements with the South Carolina licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become an Electrical Engineer.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $76,550 |
| 25th | $92,830 |
| 50th (median) | $120,630 |
| 75th | $152,950 |
| 90th | $184,300 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 192,000 |
| 2034 projected | 205,700 |
| Percent change | +7.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an electrical engineer make in South Carolina?
The median annual wage for electrical engineers in South Carolina is $98,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 18% below the national median of $120,630.
How do I become an electrical engineer in South Carolina?
The core path is the same nationwide - ABET-accredited bachelor's in electrical engineering - with licensing administered at the state level: PE license required for power/utility sign-off roles. See the steps below.
How many electrical engineers work in South Carolina?
BLS counts about 3,490 electrical engineers employed in South Carolina (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Electrical Engineer in Nearby States
- Electrical Engineer in Oregon
- Electrical Engineer in Pennsylvania
- Electrical Engineer in South Dakota
- Electrical Engineer in Tennessee
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071), South Carolina and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |