Charleston-North Charleston, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Auto Mechanic Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $51,800 ($24.90/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,600/year and the 90th was $84,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $42,683 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$51,800$24.90 per hour · $4,317 monthly
10th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
25th Percentile$40,300$19.38/hr base
75th Percentile$68,500$32.93/hr base
90th Percentile$84,000$40.38/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$51,800
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,800
Net 82%
Fed 8%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,683After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,557Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,642Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,036 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,119 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,963 / yr

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wage Percentiles in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,807
25th Percentile$19.38/hr$3,358$40,300$34,056
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.90/hr$4,317$51,800$42,683
75th Percentile$32.93/hr$5,708$68,500$54,794
90th Percentile$40.38/hr$7,000$84,000$64,670

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,254Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.01% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio60.8%of area median income

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $51,800, which equates to approximately $4,317 per month or $24.90 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $24.90 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.15/hour and one in ten earned more than $40.38/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in Charleston-North Charleston, SC span from $33,600 at the 10th percentile to $40,300 at the 25th, $68,500 at the 75th, and $84,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On a median gross salary of $51,800, an estimated $42,683 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,642 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,117 (an effective rate of 17.6%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On the median annual salary of $51,800, gross monthly income is $4,317. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,557 per month (or $1,642 every two weeks).

Is $51,800 a good salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

At $51,800, the median salary for auto mechanics is 60.8% of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC median household income ($85,254). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.0, making regional consumer goods and services 1% more expensive than the U.S. average.