Average salary in South Carolina

3 mins readLast updated July 14, 2023by Kate Morgan

This article will take you through the main things you need to know about the average salaries and highest paying counties in South Carolina.

The state of South Carolina offers a range of earning potential for its residents. Like many other states, the cost of living can vary depending on where you live in South Carolina. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, South Carolina ranks as the 11th most affordable state in the US, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordable living with decent earning opportunities.

But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

Average salary in South Carolina by city

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in South Carolina, which you can find ranked below.  

CityAverage earnings
Charleston $60,471
Columbia $46,055
Mount Pleasant $44,980
Rock Hill $43,982
Greenville $41,461

Average salary in South Carolina by county

Reviewing average salaries in South Carolina by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in South Carolina by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.  

Here are some of the highest paying counties in South Carolina, according to the US Census Bureau's latest American Community Survey: 

County Average household income
Beaufort County $73,529
Charleston County $68,139
Dorchester County $65,851
Lexington County $63,303
Horry County $60,530

Highest paying jobs in South Carolina

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in South Carolina: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by job title. You can also find the top 10 highest-paying titles in South Carolina below.  

Occupation Average salary
Medical consultant $188,937
Medical Staff Physician $173,789
Clinic Physician Director $173,242
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist $164,008
Hospitalist Medical Director $160,613
Senior Director, Product $160,613
Family Practitioner $146,166
Emergency Medicine Specialist $145,481
Senior Director of Information & Technology $144,230
Director, Global Business Development $140,625

Frequently asked questions about salaries in South Carolina

What is the average salary in South Carolina by age? 

Alongside location and occupation, salaries in South Carolina are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.  

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $31,063; householders aged 25 to 44 years old have a median income of $53,399; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $58,518; and those 65 and older have a median income of $39,306. 

What is a ‘good’ salary in South Carolina? 

The median income in South Carolina is $54,097. However, the definition of a 'good' salary varies depending on several factors, such as job industry, location, and lifestyle. For example, $90,000 may be considered a high salary in some parts of the state, whereas it may be closer to the average in others. 

What is the average salary in South Carolina by hour? 

Assuming Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year at 37.5 hours per week, the average hourly salary in South Carolina is $30.03. 

Getting expert advice before you make significant financial decisions can really benefit you in the long term. Protect your financial future and speak to one of our financial advisors today.  

Content writer

Kate Morgan

Kate has written for leading publications and blue chip companies over the last 20 years.