Data Scientist Salary in Charleston, SC — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Charleston's cost of living (index: 113). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Data Scientist Salary in Charleston — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Charleston
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Charleston
Charleston has a metro population of 850,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.0% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Charleston
Other Professions in Charleston
Data Scientist Salary — Other South Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Data Scientist make in Charleston, SC?
The estimated median salary for a Data Scientist in Charleston is $127,227 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $112,590 adjusted by Charleston's cost of living index (113). The typical salary range runs from $93,293 (25th percentile) to $170,110 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $215,299.
Is Charleston affordable for a Data Scientist?
On a $127,227 annual salary, a Data Scientist in Charleston would spend approximately 18.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,917/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Charleston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $430,000 is 3.4× the annual salary.
How does a Data Scientist's salary compare to Charleston's overall income?
Charleston's median household income is $72,000. A Data Scientist earning the city-adjusted median of $127,227 earns 76.7% more than the typical Charleston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.