If you are looking at moving to Mount Pleasant SC, the first question usually isn’t about the beaches or the golf courses – it’s about the work. For a long time, this area was viewed primarily as a bedroom community for downtown Charleston. You lived here, but you drove over the bridge to earn your paycheck.
Fast forward to February 2026, and that narrative has shifted significantly. Mount Pleasant has become a thriving economic engine in its own right, playing a massive role in what we locals call “Silicon Harbor.” The stability here is palpable. After the frantic economic shifts we saw post-pandemic, things have settled into a solid rhythm. Unemployment in Charleston County has been hovering around a healthy 3.8% to 4.0% since late 2025, mirroring the strong employment records South Carolina set last year.
The landscape today is a sophisticated mix of high-tech innovation, robust healthcare systems, and port-related logistics. It feels like the “Great Reset” of the economy has finally balanced out, bringing a sense of predictability back to the job market. Whether you are transferring here for a corporate role or bringing your own job with you, the ground under your feet feels steady.
Top Industries Driving Employment
When you dig into who is actually hiring, you realize this isn’t just a hospitality town anymore. While tourism remains a perennial powerhouse – thanks to our world-class dining scene and coastal location – the real growth story for 2026 is in technology and specialized services.
Mount Pleasant is firmly established as a hub for software and digital services. The tech scene here has matured, moving from scrappy startups to established firms that anchor the local economy. Alongside tech, healthcare is expanding rapidly. With the population growth we have seen over the last five years, medical services have had to scale up fast to meet demand.
We also cannot ignore logistics and advanced manufacturing. The South Carolina Ports Authority drives a massive amount of economic activity here. Even if you don’t work directly at the port, the ripple effect touches everything from supply chain management to advanced manufacturing roles in nearby North Charleston.
Major Employers in Mount Pleasant
If you want to know where the biggest paychecks are coming from, you have to look at the anchors. While some of these “local” employers might technically have a Daniel Island or Clements Ferry Road address, they are the lifeblood of the East Cooper labor market.
In the tech space, companies like Blackbaud and Benefitfocus remain critical players. They set the tone for the white-collar job market here and attract talent from all over the country. If you are in software, sales, or data security, these are names you will hear constantly.
On the healthcare front, East Cooper Medical Center and Roper St. Francis Healthcare are massive contributors to local employment. It’s not just doctors and nurses; these systems require huge administrative and support staffs to function.
Other key sectors include:
- Public Sector: The Charleston County School District and the Town of Mount Pleasant are consistently among the largest employers, offering stability and benefits.
- Industrial & Shipping: The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has a major presence, and Nucor Steel (just up the road in Huger) draws a lot of talent from our area.
- Defense & Consulting: Firms like Booz Allen Hamilton maintain a strong local footprint, supporting the various federal and military contracts in the Lowcountry.
Average Salaries vs. Cost of Living
Here is where we have to have a realistic conversation about money. The cost of living Mount Pleasant SC residents face is undeniable, and it’s important to understand how local salaries stack up against that reality.
Charleston County often leads the state in earning power. Recent data from the end of 2025 showed average weekly wages sitting right around $1,331. That is a strong number for South Carolina. However, there is a gap you need to be aware of. With median home prices in Mount Pleasant ranging between $1.02M and $1.2M entering 2026, a “good” salary on paper might not stretch as far as you expect if you are trying to buy a single-family home.
We see a lot of what I call “commuter wealth” here. Many residents aren’t just relying on local wages; they are executives working in downtown Charleston or remote workers earning New York or California salaries while living here. If you are relying solely on a local salary, you will want to run the numbers carefully. The earning potential is high, but the entry price for housing requires significant income or equity from a previous home sale.
Remote Work and the ‘Work-from-Home’ Lifestyle
One of the biggest shifts I’ve seen is the number of people moving here specifically because they don’t have to commute. Mount Pleasant is a magnet for the work-from-home crowd. A huge percentage of our residents work in professional and technical services, which lend themselves perfectly to hybrid or fully remote models.
The infrastructure supports it. We have widespread availability of fiber internet, and if you need to get out of the house, there are plenty of co-working spaces and coffee shops that cater to the laptop class.
But the real draw is the lifestyle. If you finish your Zoom calls at 5:00 PM, you can be on the beach at Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island by 5:15 PM. That work-life balance is the primary reason we see so many professionals relocating to the area. You aren’t waiting for the weekend to enjoy where you live.
Commuting: The Mount Pleasant to Charleston Connection
If you do need to drive into the office, you need to know about the Ravenel Bridge. It is the primary artery connecting us to downtown Charleston via US-17. It is scenic – arguably one of the most beautiful commutes in the country – but it gets busy. Rush hour generally runs from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and again from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
The other vital corridor is I-526. This is your lifeline if you are heading to North Charleston for roles at Boeing, the International Airport, or the Tanger outlet area.
Here is a quick look at what the drive actually looks like:
- Downtown Charleston: Typically 15 – 30 minutes, depending on where you start in Mount Pleasant.
- North Charleston: Usually 20 – 35 minutes.
- Traffic Hotspots: Watch out for truck traffic on Long Point Road and Clements Ferry Road due to the Wando Welch Terminal. It’s a sign of a healthy economy, but it can slow you down if you aren’t expecting it.
When you are looking at neighborhoods in Mount Pleasant SC, checking the proximity to these on-ramps can make a big difference in your daily quality of life.
Tips for Job Seekers Relocating in 2026
If you are planning on landing a job here, my best advice is to start networking before the moving truck arrives. The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is very active and a great place to make initial contacts.
Timing also matters. If you are looking in hospitality or tourism, the hiring ramps up aggressively in the spring. For tech and healthcare, hiring is generally steady year-round. Don’t hesitate to reach out to specialized recruiting firms. Because the market here is competitive, many companies rely on recruiters to find talent for executive and specialized technical roles.
FAQ: Job Market Insights
Who are the largest employers in Mount Pleasant, SC?
The local economy is anchored by major players like Blackbaud and Benefitfocus in the tech sector, along with East Cooper Medical Center and Roper St. Francis Healthcare. The public sector, including the Charleston County School District and the Town of Mount Pleasant, also employs thousands of residents.
What is the average commute time from Mount Pleasant to downtown Charleston?
On a typical day, you can expect a drive of about 15 to 30 minutes to reach downtown Charleston via the Ravenel Bridge. However, traffic volume peaks between 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, so plan for extra time during those windows.
Is the job market in Mount Pleasant friendly to remote workers?
Absolutely. The area attracts a high number of telecommuters due to reliable fiber internet infrastructure and the appeal of a coastal lifestyle. Many residents work for national companies while enjoying the ability to visit the beach immediately after logging off.
What industries are growing fastest in Mount Pleasant for 2026?
The fastest-growing sectors continue to be technology and healthcare. The region’s “Silicon Harbor” reputation is drawing more digital services firms, while the growing retiree and general population is driving rapid expansion in medical services and facilities.
