AI Data Labeling Manager.
Charleston.
$113,000
median salary, 2% below the national average
$83,000 to $152,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a AI Data Labeling Manager offer in Charleston, SC, here is the reality: $83,000 to $152,000, with $113,000 as the midpoint. 2% below the national average. AI data labeling managers oversee annotation teams and quality assurance processes critical to ML model performance. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $102,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$96,000
to $119,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$124,000
to $147,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$141,000
to $175,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $56,000 to the total package.
Base
$113,000
Equity
$34,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $169,000
How Charleston compares
Charleston, SC
$113,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$115,000
Charleston is $2,000 below
AI Data Labeling Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Charleston
What you should know
The AI Data Labeling Manager landscape in Charleston is not what most salary sites will tell you. Charleston is one of the South's fastest growing tech hubs, with Boeing, Volvo, and a wave of software companies establishing operations. The city's port drives significant logistics employment. Charleston's quality of life, moderate costs, and growing tech scene attract relocating professionals from across the country. AI data labeling managers oversee annotation teams and quality assurance processes critical to ML model performance. Salary varies based on team size managed and domain complexity, with medical and autonomous driving labeling paying 15 to 25% more. Experience with labeling platforms like Scale AI, Labelbox, or custom tooling is a key differentiator.
Labeling team leads start at $85,000 to $100,000. Managers overseeing multiple annotation teams earn $115,000 to $155,000. Senior managers and directors of data operations reach $160,000 to $210,000, while VPs of data quality at large AI companies can command $220,000 to $300,000. In Charleston, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity is common at AI startups, typically 0.05 to 0.2% for manager-level roles. Annual bonuses range from 8 to 15%. Some companies offer per-project completion bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000 for meeting quality and timeline targets on critical datasets. And on the tax side: south Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. Charleston has no city income tax. The state rate is moderate, and the affordable cost of living keeps net pay competitive. When someone quotes you $113,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight the Boeing and Volvo ecosystem when negotiating. Manufacturing and engineering employers in Charleston benchmark against national aerospace pay scales. The range for AI Data Labeling Managers in Charleston runs from $83,000 to $152,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Frontend Developer in Charleston earns $114,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Charleston is Chief AI Officer at $301,000
Common questions.
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