As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in South Carolina is $277,741, equivalent to $134 per hour, $5,341 weekly, or $23,145 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Chief Engineer in South Carolina vary widely, spanning from $226,801 to $310,752. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($251,077) and 75th percentile ($295,020), while top earners (90th percentile) make $310,752 per year. This $43,943 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Housekeeping, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, South Carolina Chief Engineer often earn 6.3% lower than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, South Carolina currently ranks 42 nationwide for Chief Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Chief Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $226,801 SC August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $251,077 SC August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $277,741 SC August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $295,020 SC August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Engineer Salary $310,752 SC August 01, 2026
25% $251,077 10% $226,801 90% $310,752 75% $295,020 $277,741 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Chief Engineer

Courtyard - Hilton Head Island, SC

Chief Engineer

Atrium Hospitality - North Charleston, SC

Chief Engineer - Fairfield Inn

Strand Hospitality Services - Myrtle Beach, SC

Assistant Chief Engineer

Kingston Resorts - Myrtle Beach, SC

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What is a Chief Engineer ?

A chief engineer, commonly referred to as "ChEng" or "Chief", is the seniormost engine officer of an engine department on a ship, typically a merchant ship, and holds overall leadership and responsibility of that department. As a person who holds one of the most senior roles on the ship, he or she must have excellent communication and leadership skills. He or she will be expected to regularly work alongside other crew members and external consultants, and most importantly, provide guidance his or her team. To be a chief engineer, an engineer must attain a chief engineer's license appropriate ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Goose Creek, SC Avg. Salary $300,814 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Abbeville, SC Avg. Salary $289,086 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Adams Run, SC Avg. Salary $296,949 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Aiken, SC Avg. Salary $292,243 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Alcolu, SC Avg. Salary $280,972 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Allendale, SC Avg. Salary $287,069 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Anderson, SC Avg. Salary $291,852 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Andrews, SC Avg. Salary $286,164 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Arcadia, SC Avg. Salary $296,495 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Awendaw, SC Avg. Salary $298,890 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Job Openings for Chief Engineer in South Carolina

Jobs with a similar salary range to Chief Engineer : Chief Engineer Officer