Staff Build/Release Engineer.
North Charleston.
$190,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$148,000 to $246,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Staff Build/Release Engineers actually make in North Charleston: $148,000 at the 25th percentile, $190,000 at the median, and $246,000 at the 75th. That is 6% below the national average. 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 number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $171,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$124,000
to $152,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$162,000
to $200,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$209,000
to $247,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$238,000
to $295,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $53,000 to the total package.
Base
$190,000
Equity
$30,000
Bonus
$19,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $243,000
How North Charleston compares
North Charleston, SC
$190,000
Cost of living: 6% below average
National Average
$202,000
North Charleston is $12,000 below
Staff Build/Release Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in North Charleston
What you should know
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. That is the backdrop for every Staff Build/Release Engineer offer you will see here.
One thing people overlook: taxes. 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. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace manufacturing experience. Boeing and defense contractors in North Charleston pay nationally competitive rates for specialized engineering skills. The range for Staff Build/Release Engineers in North Charleston runs from $148,000 to $246,000. 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 Safety Researcher in North Charleston earns $191,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in North Charleston is Principal AI Research Scientist at $336,000
Common questions.
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