AI Supply Chain Optimization Engineer.
North Charleston.
$136,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$102,000 to $172,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a AI Supply Chain Optimization Engineer offer in North Charleston, SC, here is the reality: $102,000 to $172,000, with $136,000 as the midpoint. 3% below the national average. Compensation reflects the ability to apply ML to complex supply chain problems including demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and logistics network design. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $123,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$88,000
to $109,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$116,000
to $143,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$150,000
to $177,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$170,000
to $211,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $58,000 to the total package.
Base
$136,000
Equity
$35,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$8,000
Estimated total: $194,000
How North Charleston compares
North Charleston, SC
$136,000
Cost of living: 6% below average
National Average
$140,000
North Charleston is $4,000 below
AI Supply Chain Optimization Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in North Charleston
What you should know
Here is what the AI Supply Chain Optimization Engineer market actually looks like in North Charleston. North Charleston is the industrial and manufacturing heart of the Lowcountry, home to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner assembly facility and the Charleston Naval Complex. The area has attracted significant defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing investment. Growth in logistics driven by the expanding port continues to drive employment. Compensation reflects the ability to apply ML to complex supply chain problems including demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and logistics network design. Engineers who can reduce supply chain costs by measurable percentages through AI-driven decisions earn premiums. Experience with operations research combined with ML provides the most valued skill combination.
Junior supply chain AI engineers start at $90,000 to $110,000. Mid-level engineers building production forecasting systems reach $130,000 to $158,000. Senior engineers designing network-wide optimization platforms earn $165,000 to $200,000. Directors of supply chain AI at major retailers or manufacturers can reach $220,000 to $280,000. In North 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. Performance bonuses of 12% to 20% tied to cost reduction or service level improvements are common. Equity at supply chain tech companies adds $15,000 to $55,000 annually. Benefits at large retailers and manufacturers include comprehensive packages and product discounts. And on the tax side: south Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. North Charleston has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by affordable housing and strong employer demand. When someone quotes you $136,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace manufacturing experience. Boeing and defense contractors in North Charleston pay nationally competitive rates for specialized engineering skills. The range for AI Supply Chain Optimization Engineers in North Charleston runs from $102,000 to $172,000. 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 AI Marketing Technologist in North Charleston earns $137,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in North Charleston is Distinguished Engineer at $301,000
Common questions.
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