South Carolina wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, South Carolina has a median annual wage of $44,760 and a mean of $56,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -9.6% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #43 of 51 states by mean wage. About 2,271,770 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in South Carolina is Family Medicine Physicians ($236,950 median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in South Carolina: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in South Carolina for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | South Carolina median | US median | South Carolina jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $108,690 | $133,080 | 12,230 |
| Registered Nurses | $79,900 | $93,600 | 50,300 |
| Electricians | $58,260 | $62,350 | 7,830 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,810 | $57,440 | 32,700 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,180 | $81,680 | 15,250 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,370 | $62,340 | 23,680 |
| Lawyers | $104,160 | $151,160 | 7,270 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $54,840 | $62,970 | 5,480 |
| Pharmacists | $135,900 | $137,480 | 5,920 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,020 | $76,290 | 12,820 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in South Carolina
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in South Carolina, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $236,950 | $253,640 |
| 2 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $163,790 | $164,650 |
| 3 | Dentists, General | $158,460 | $190,670 |
| 4 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $158,290 | $163,870 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $142,490 | $155,920 |
| 6 | Pharmacists | $135,900 | $135,720 |
| 7 | Aerospace Engineers | $131,820 | $137,870 |
| 8 | Database Architects | $128,440 | $128,340 |
| 9 | Financial Managers | $127,610 | $145,180 |
| 10 | Veterinarians | $126,720 | $127,710 |
| 11 | Marketing Managers | $124,000 | $137,140 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $120,970 | $118,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in South Carolina?
The median annual wage across all occupations in South Carolina is $44,760 and the mean is $56,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -9.6% versus the US median of $49,500. South Carolina ranks #43 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in South Carolina include Family Medicine Physicians ($236,950), Architectural and Engineering Managers ($163,790), Dentists, General ($158,460). See the full list on this page.
Are South Carolina wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. South Carolina's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within South Carolina. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20