CFO.
North Charleston.
$235,000
median salary, 10% below the national average
$176,000 to $311,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
North Charleston is 6% cheaper than the national average. For CFOs, that shakes out to a median of $235,000, with the full range spanning $176,000 to $311,000. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $211,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$153,000
to $188,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$200,000
to $247,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$259,000
to $306,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$294,000
to $364,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $62,000 to the total package.
Base
$235,000
Equity
$35,000
Bonus
$22,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $297,000
How North Charleston compares
North Charleston, SC
$235,000
Cost of living: 6% below average
National Average
$260,000
North Charleston is $25,000 below
CFO salary by city
Salary by role in North Charleston
What you should know
Here is what the CFO 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. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Fortune 500 CFOs earn three to five times more than mid-market counterparts. Industry also matters, with technology, financial services, and pharmaceutical CFOs commanding the highest packages. IPO and M&A transaction experience adds further premium.
VP of Finance roles pay $180,000 to $260,000 in base salary. CFOs at small companies ($10 million to $50 million revenue) earn $175,000 to $250,000. Mid-market CFOs ($50 million to $500 million) earn $250,000 to $400,000. Enterprise CFOs at $1 billion or more revenue companies command $400,000 to $800,000 base. 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. CFO total compensation far exceeds base salary. Annual bonuses of 40 to 75% of base, equity grants worth $200,000 to $2 million or more at public companies, and long-term incentive plans are standard. Total compensation at large companies commonly reaches $800,000 to $5 million. 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 $235,000, 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 CFOs in North Charleston runs from $176,000 to $311,000. 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 Chief Human Resources Officer in North Charleston earns $240,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in North Charleston is Distinguished Engineer at $301,000
Common questions.
CFO salary in other cities
Other salaries in North Charleston
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.