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Average salary by job family in Charleston
| Management | $108,040 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $102,530 |
| Legal | $95,260 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $91,730 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $80,910 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $74,640 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $73,100 |
| Construction and Extraction | $60,610 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $56,710 |
| Community and Social Service | $52,580 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $51,490 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $50,560 |
| Production | $50,240 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $44,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $42,920 |
| Sales and Related | $39,520 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $38,680 |
| Protective Service | $38,050 |
| Healthcare Support | $33,660 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $33,200 |
| Personal Care and Service | $32,750 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $29,940 |
Highest-paying jobs in Charleston
- Surgeons, All Other$531,340
- Radiologists$334,680
- Family Medicine Physicians$325,720
- Nurse Anesthetists$266,040
- Physicians, All Other$261,180
- Personal Financial Advisors$194,720
- Chief Executives$192,520
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$184,940
- Dentists, General$181,280
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$159,180
Most common jobs in Charleston and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 4,320 | $90,340 | $80,230 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 3,200 | $27,600 | $28,680 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,650 | $31,720 | $29,050 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 2,230 | $24,520 | $23,180 |
| Cashiers | 2,170 | $26,340 | $26,280 |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,160 | $100,450 | $83,190 |
| Security Guards | 2,160 | $26,890 | $20,800 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 1,650 | $41,540 | $37,480 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 1,630 | $44,040 | $43,550 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,490 | $32,550 | $30,330 |
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Cost of living in Charleston
Prices in the Charleston area are 11% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 88.7 for 2024. The average local salary of $58,170 therefore buys what $65,568 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $148,817, 2.6 times the median household income of $58,089.
$148,817typical home value
$58,089median household income
88.7BEA price parity
207,456metro population
Take-home pay in Charleston
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $32,230 | $27,279 | $2,273 |
| Median wage | $45,830 | $37,736 | $3,145 |
| Average wage | $58,170 | $47,130 | $3,928 |
| 75th percentile wage | $66,980 | $53,766 | $4,480 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in Charleston
Management20 jobs
- Chief Executives$193K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$159K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$147K
- Managers, All Other$135K
- Financial Managers$128K
- Human Resources Managers$123K
- Industrial Production Managers$118K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$116K
- Sales Managers$114K
- General and Operations Managers$100K
- Facilities Managers$94K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$91K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$91K
- Education Administrators, All Other$87K
- Construction Managers$87K
- Administrative Services Managers$83K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$77K
- Social and Community Service Managers$75K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$63K
- Food Service Managers$57K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical32 jobs
- Surgeons, All Other$531K
- Radiologists$335K
- Family Medicine Physicians$326K
- Nurse Anesthetists$266K
- Physicians, All Other$261K
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$185K
- Dentists, General$181K
- Pharmacists$129K
- Physician Assistants$129K
- Nurse Practitioners$128K
- Veterinarians$118K
- Physical Therapists$102K
- Registered Nurses$90K
- Occupational Therapists$89K
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists$88K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$82K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$79K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$78K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$77K
- Respiratory Therapists$74K
- Dental Hygienists$70K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$63K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$59K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$55K
- Surgical Technologists$51K
- Medical Records Specialists$49K
- Paramedics$45K
- Opticians, Dispensing$42K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$41K
- Pharmacy Technicians$40K
- Psychiatric Technicians$38K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$34K
Legal6 jobs
Architecture and Engineering14 jobs
- Industrial Engineers$141K
- Electrical Engineers$133K
- Petroleum Engineers$112K
- Engineers, All Other$111K
- Mechanical Engineers$108K
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers$96K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$95K
- Civil Engineers$94K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$82K
- Surveyors$65K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$63K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$55K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$54K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$50K
Computer and Mathematical12 jobs
- Computer Network Architects$123K
- Software Developers$119K
- Database Architects$105K
- Data Scientists$86K
- Database Administrators$77K
- Information Security Analysts$76K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$76K
- Statisticians$70K
- Operations Research Analysts$68K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$65K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$58K
- Computer User Support Specialists$56K
Business and Financial Operations27 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$195K
- Management Analysts$101K
- Labor Relations Specialists$97K
- Project Management Specialists$96K
- Insurance Underwriters$90K
- Cost Estimators$85K
- Logisticians$76K
- Accountants and Auditors$72K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$72K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$71K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$70K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$70K
- Training and Development Specialists$68K
- Human Resources Specialists$68K
- Credit Analysts$68K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$67K
- Financial Examiners$67K
- Loan Officers$66K
- Compliance Officers$63K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$58K
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$57K
- Fundraisers$56K
- Tax Preparers$55K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$53K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$53K
- Credit Counselors$46K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$44K
Life, Physical, and Social Science11 jobs
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$93K
- Chemists$89K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$89K
- Conservation Scientists$84K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$81K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$80K
- School Psychologists$71K
- Forensic Science Technicians$66K
- Urban and Regional Planners$66K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62K
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$57K
Construction and Extraction16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$86K
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators$70K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$69K
- Electricians$66K
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas$65K
- Sheet Metal Workers$61K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$59K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$57K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$56K
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas$55K
- Fence Erectors$54K
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$53K
- Carpenters$52K
- Construction Laborers$50K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$47K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$44K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair18 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$76K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$72K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$67K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$67K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$66K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$62K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$62K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$58K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$58K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$57K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$57K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$55K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$49K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$49K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$47K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$45K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$34K
Community and Social Service14 jobs
- Health Education Specialists$82K
- Healthcare Social Workers$65K
- Social Workers, All Other$58K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$57K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$54K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$53K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$51K
- Clergy$48K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$48K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$47K
- Counselors, All Other$44K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$43K
- Community Health Workers$39K
Educational Instruction and Library24 jobs
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$105K
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$75K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$73K
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$73K
- Instructional Coordinators$69K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$68K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$67K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$64K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$59K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$56K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$55K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$55K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$54K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$53K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$52K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$50K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$50K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$49K
- Tutors$40K
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$40K
- Library Technicians$40K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$37K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$35K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$31K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media7 jobs
Production19 jobs
- Gas Plant Operators$85K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$76K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$58K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$54K
- Machinists$53K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$53K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$52K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$46K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$40K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39K
- Printing Press Operators$38K
- Production Workers, All Other$37K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$35K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$30K
- Bakers$30K
- Sewing Machine Operators$28K
Office and Administrative Support37 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$67K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$63K
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60K
- Postal Service Clerks$57K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$54K
- Procurement Clerks$51K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$49K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$47K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$47K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$46K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$45K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44K
- Financial Clerks, All Other$44K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$44K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$44K
- Bill and Account Collectors$44K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$43K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$43K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$42K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$42K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$42K
- Customer Service Representatives$42K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$40K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$37K
- File Clerks$37K
- Office Clerks, General$37K
- Data Entry Keyers$36K
- Couriers and Messengers$35K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$34K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$34K
- Tellers$33K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$33K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$31K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$28K
Transportation and Material Moving18 jobs
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators$70K
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62K
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$54K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$54K
- Light Truck Drivers$50K
- Wellhead Pumpers$49K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$43K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$37K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$34K
- Bus Drivers, School$34K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$32K
- Driver/Sales Workers$30K
- Parking Attendants$30K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$30K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$29K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$28K
Sales and Related15 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$102K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$76K
- Insurance Sales Agents$70K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$69K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$66K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$64K
- Real Estate Brokers$57K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$57K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$45K
- Parts Salespersons$41K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$37K
- Retail Salespersons$32K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$30K
- Cashiers$26K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$23K
Protective Service11 jobs
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$100K
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$83K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$55K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$52K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$50K
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators$50K
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$43K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$41K
- Firefighters$40K
- Security Guards$27K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$26K
Healthcare Support11 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$63K
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$59K
- Massage Therapists$43K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$43K
- Dental Assistants$43K
- Phlebotomists$42K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$40K
- Medical Assistants$38K
- Nursing Assistants$37K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$32K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$51K
- Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$42K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$41K
- Pest Control Workers$37K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$33K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30K
Personal Care and Service9 jobs
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$41K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$40K
- Funeral Attendants$34K
- Residential Advisors$32K
- Recreation Workers$31K
- Animal Caretakers$31K
- Childcare Workers$28K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$26K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26K
Food Preparation and Serving Related13 jobs
- Bartenders$38K
- Waiters and Waitresses$38K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$34K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$30K
- Cooks, Restaurant$30K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29K
- Cooks, Short Order$29K
- Food Preparation Workers$29K
- Dishwashers$26K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$25K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$25K
- Cooks, Fast Food$25K
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Salary in Charleston: questions
What is a good salary in Charleston?
Half of all workers in the Charleston metro earn less than $45,830 and the average is $58,170. Earning more than $66,980 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Charleston to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $61,898, because prices here are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.7).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Charleston?
Surgeons, All Other ($531,340), Radiologists ($334,680), Family Medicine Physicians ($325,720).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Charleston, WV (16620), all occupations and 341 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.