ShareYourGroupShareYourGroupSalaries

Salaries in South Carolina: pay for 728 occupations, May 2025

Across all occupations, employees in South Carolina had a median pay of $46,490 a year ($22.35 an hour) in May 2025, with 2,305,080 jobs counted. That is 9% below the national median of $50,980.

Highest median pay in South Carolina

Occupations with the most jobs

All occupations in South Carolina, A to Z

OccupationMedian a yearMedian an hourJobs
Accountants and Auditors$76,560$36.8115,270
Actorsnot publishednot published140
Actuariesnot publishednot published140
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders$47,000$22.60130
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers$94,880$45.62130
Administrative Services Managers$124,320$59.77not published
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$62,940$30.26480
Advertising Sales Agents$68,200$32.791,770
Advertising and Promotions Managers$156,300$75.14not published
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Techniciansnot publishednot published120
Aerospace Engineers$137,030$65.88650
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletesnot publishednot published80
Agricultural Equipment Operators$34,490$16.58380
Agricultural Inspectors$49,940$24.0190
Agricultural Technicians$41,290$19.85100
Air Traffic Controllers$112,030$53.86190
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$61,470$29.55140
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$75,160$36.131,660
Aircraft Service Attendants$36,130$17.37290
Airfield Operations Specialists$33,590$16.1590
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$143,580not published110
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$29,300$14.09620
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,040$13.008,740
Anesthesiologists$238,970$114.89950
Animal Caretakers$31,280$15.044,090
Animal Control Workers$38,790$18.65180
Animal Trainers$29,670$14.27200
Anthropologists and Archeologists$63,130$30.3550
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary$80,370not published40
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators$58,990$28.3670
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$101,550$48.821,030
Architectural and Civil Drafters$64,680$31.091,170
Architectural and Engineering Managers$169,040$81.273,200
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary$76,900not published90
Archivists$52,810$25.3960
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$64,500not published130
Art Directors$87,990$42.30550
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$62,420not published1,290
Athletes and Sports Competitors$45,720not published280
Athletic Trainers$59,240not published530
Atmospheric and Space Scientists$82,240$39.54150
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$76,500not published80
Audio and Video Technicians$52,000$25.00440
Audiologists$82,330$39.58200
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$45,180$21.72480
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$53,290$25.622,140
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers$46,180$22.20440
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$48,100$23.1213,420
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$36,000$17.31220
Avionics Technicians$81,720$39.29270
Baggage Porters and Bellhops$25,850$12.43330
Bailiffs$34,280$16.48270
Bakers$35,460$17.052,940
Barbers$32,900$15.82220
Bartenders$19,370$9.3110,680
Bicycle Repairers$35,530$17.08not published
Bill and Account Collectors$43,140$20.744,430
Billing and Posting Clerks$45,250$21.755,550
Biochemists and Biophysicists$109,080$52.4460
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$99,130$47.6670
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$82,300not published750
Biological Scientists, All Other$91,560$44.02240
Biological Technicians$53,040$25.50550
Boilermakers$74,840$35.98not published
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47,940$23.0519,980
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$49,010$23.56410
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$30,960$14.88150
Broadcast Technicians$46,860$22.53210
Brokerage Clerks$59,710$28.71440
Budget Analysts$86,260$41.47470
Building Cleaning Workers, All Other$45,230$21.75220
Bus Drivers, School$39,900$19.185,900
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$43,330$20.83630
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$59,330$28.533,360
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$79,110$38.038,910
Business Teachers, Postsecondary$78,830not published1,500
Butchers and Meat Cutters$39,790$19.132,380
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$75,550$36.326,150
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$47,680$22.92710
Calibration Technologists and Technicians$66,910$32.1770
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film$57,940$27.8640
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$57,660$27.72520
Cardiologists$239,200 or more$115.00 or more210
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$59,170$28.45890
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School$62,160not published170
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$79,610$38.271,980
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$72,120not published1,150
Cargo and Freight Agents$57,000$27.411,540
Carpenters$50,670$24.366,950
Carpet Installers$33,810$16.2580
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$72,260$34.74150
Cashiers$28,530$13.7156,550
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$49,360$23.731,930
Chefs and Head Cooks$71,860$34.552,650
Chemical Engineers$101,570$48.83390
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$56,240$27.044,040
Chemical Plant and System Operators$68,510$32.94610
Chemical Technicians$75,020$36.072,080
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$81,200not published270
Chemists$79,670$38.30770
Chief Executives$168,840$81.171,740
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$51,800$24.905,520
Childcare Workers$29,650$14.2610,660
Chiropractors$79,310$38.13680
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$53,710$25.821,480
Civil Engineers$101,600$48.857,180
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$75,370$36.244,130
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34,230$16.465,720
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$39,240$18.87320
Clergy$56,630$27.23450
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$55,280$26.584,380
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$92,700$44.57not published
Coaches and Scouts$42,950not published3,310
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,220$23.182,780
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$51,670$24.84190
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$47,120$22.66240
Commercial Divers$49,260$23.6830
Commercial Pilots$105,740not published290
Commercial and Industrial Designers$77,300$37.16810
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$79,810not published320
Community Health Workers$47,970$23.06540
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$51,880$24.94220
Compensation and Benefits Managers$99,630$47.90330
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$63,450$30.511,160
Compliance Officers$75,460$36.284,760
Computer Hardware Engineers$125,110$60.15690
Computer Network Architects$134,990$64.901,950
Computer Network Support Specialists$76,790$36.922,660
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$51,800$24.912,460
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$69,470$33.40340
Computer Occupations, All Other$112,260$53.974,300
Computer Programmers$99,740$47.95790
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$78,240not published380
Computer Systems Analysts$98,280$47.257,700
Computer User Support Specialists$52,080$25.049,880
Computer and Information Research Scientists$126,980$61.05430
Computer and Information Systems Managers$160,860$77.344,930
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$39,060$18.78680
Concierges$34,110$16.40580
Conservation Scientists$52,310$25.15300
Construction Laborers$42,940$20.6519,620
Construction Managers$108,110$51.985,620
Construction and Building Inspectors$58,840$28.292,500
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$50,800$24.42420
Conveyor Operators and Tenders$38,020$18.28440
Cooks, Fast Food$27,420$13.189,110
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$34,960$16.817,850
Cooks, Restaurant$35,740$17.1825,890
Cooks, Short Order$29,640$14.25900
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders$39,640$19.0660
Correctional Officers and Jailers$47,890$23.024,870
Correspondence Clerks$41,710$20.06130
Cost Estimators$70,260$33.782,880
Costume Attendants$33,510$16.1150
Counselors, All Other$55,140$26.5160
Counter and Rental Clerks$37,340$17.956,280
Couriers and Messengers$36,710$17.651,380
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners$61,100$29.38140
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$43,460$20.892,020
Craft Artists$35,050$16.8570
Crane and Tower Operators$64,120$30.83720
Credit Analysts$77,530$37.28690
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerksnot publishednot published400
Credit Counselors$53,190$25.57250
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary$76,960not published150
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$32,690$15.721,050
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45,280$21.77330
Curators$47,200$22.69120
Customer Service Representatives$38,860$18.6951,000
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand$39,340$18.9150
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,410$22.79730
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44,420$21.354,100
Data Entry Keyers$38,070$18.301,490
Data Scientists$91,990$44.233,750
Database Administrators$93,640$45.02990
Database Architects$130,000$62.501,160
Demonstrators and Product Promoters$38,590$18.56190
Dental Assistants$47,320$22.755,530
Dental Hygienists$84,340$40.553,160
Dental Laboratory Technicians$37,170$17.87260
Dentists, All Other Specialists$246,770$118.6470
Dentists, General$158,640$76.272,140
Dermatologists$259,990$124.99180
Designers, All Other$83,980$40.3760
Desktop Publishers$62,320$29.9640
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$62,760$30.171,470
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$83,290$40.041,340
Dietetic Technicians$36,770$17.68450
Dietitians and Nutritionists$69,970$33.64950
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$26,830$12.906,220
Directors, Religious Activities and Education$36,120$17.37170
Dishwashers$29,160$14.027,550
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$47,550$22.862,440
Drafters, All Other$61,250$29.4560
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,040$25.0270
Driver/Sales Workers$22,240$10.696,430
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$45,340$21.80340
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas$61,500$29.57120
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary$109,060not published110
Editors$62,000$29.81500
Education Administrators, All Other$97,240$46.75360
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$102,440not published5,000
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$95,570$45.952,990
Education Teachers, Postsecondary$66,690not published1,270
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$51,200$24.61700
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$59,210$28.47760
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60,340$29.016,460
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers$59,460$28.5960
Electrical Engineers$98,440$47.333,490
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$76,870$36.962,690
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$73,450$35.312,060
Electrical and Electronics Drafters$76,440$36.75290
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$75,490$36.291,130
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$91,140$43.82230
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$46,210$22.224,670
Electricians$58,740$28.248,010
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$67,610$32.50270
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles$48,230$23.19230
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$113,720$54.671,030
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$60,820not published25,030
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers$90,860$43.68540
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$38,670$18.591,750
Embalmers$61,820$29.72140
Emergency Management Directors$93,680$45.04330
Emergency Medical Technicians$40,370$19.414,010
Emergency Medicine Physicians$341,960$164.4180
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$46,950$22.571,960
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$103,420not published490
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$80,540$38.72620
Engineers, All Other$110,490$53.121,280
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$64,470not published840
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Othernot published$26.41not published
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$79,110$38.04440
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63,200$30.39220
Environmental Engineers$96,140$46.22560
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$99,540not published130
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$48,700$23.41500
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$74,910$36.02490
Epidemiologists$84,660$40.7050
Etchers and Engravers$28,300$13.6150
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$52,580$25.28330
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$60,890$29.283,880
Exercise Physiologists$46,550$22.38230
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$43,630$20.985,130
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,040$23.582,000
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$43,380$20.851,080
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51,620$24.822,460
Facilities Managers$103,940$49.971,750
Fallers$76,350$36.71130
Family Medicine Physicians$239,200$115.001,200
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$74,010not published60
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$46,640$22.42260
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managersnot publishednot published40
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$35,110$16.88680
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$35,090$16.87190
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,520$13.2365,070
Fence Erectors$37,960$18.25not published
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators$45,250$21.76480
File Clerks$39,350$18.921,210
Film and Video Editorsnot publishednot published160
Financial Clerks, All Other$49,780$23.93170
Financial Examiners$86,440$41.56480
Financial Managers$136,160$65.469,020
Financial Risk Specialists$99,520$47.85560
Financial Specialists, All Other$76,400$36.73930
Financial and Investment Analysts$93,670$45.033,600
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustratorsnot publishednot published160
Fire Inspectors and Investigators$61,890$29.76110
Firefighters$42,570$20.477,780
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$75,350$36.2313,150
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$77,110$37.07360
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$49,550$23.821,680
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$56,730$27.28370
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$65,160$31.331,450
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,520$18.5220,120
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers$47,750$22.9660
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$45,320$21.793,200
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$60,100$28.902,250
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$75,120$36.1210,140
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$77,130$37.083,230
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$62,920$30.2526,710
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$44,100$21.202,040
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$73,700$35.431,560
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$77,500$37.2614,570
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$81,330$39.1090
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,770$22.9719,390
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$47,100$22.65770
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63,470$30.518,300
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$49,860$23.97170
Floor Sanders and Finishers$44,310$21.3060
Floral Designers$32,000$15.38500
Food Batchmakers$37,070$17.82700
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$38,220$18.37520
Food Preparation Workers$32,180$15.4714,460
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$22,230$10.69850
Food Processing Workers, All Other$37,060$17.82510
Food Science Technicians$39,480$18.9840
Food Scientists and Technologists$108,660$52.2490
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$31,740$15.262,990
Food Service Managers$66,190$31.825,080
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$40,000$19.23140
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$77,790not published320
Forensic Science Technicians$51,830$24.92160
Forest and Conservation Technicians$55,910$26.88180
Forest and Conservation Workers$44,050$21.1840
Foresters$86,780$41.72250
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,610$23.8580
Foundry Mold and Coremakers$41,100$19.76150
Fundraisers$62,720$30.161,200
Fundraising Managers$103,240$49.64220
Funeral Attendants$29,880$14.36930
Funeral Home Managers$77,400$37.21220
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$48,170$23.16300
Furniture Finishers$43,310$20.82120
Gambling Dealers$27,350$13.15140
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners$33,650$16.18130
Gas Plant Operators$67,580$32.49280
General Internal Medicine Physicians$359,500$172.841,260
General and Operations Managers$106,080$51.0032,230
Genetic Counselors$93,600$45.0040
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary$85,810not published80
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$53,160$25.5690
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$86,070$41.38230
Glaziers$50,650$24.35740
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$34,510$16.59230
Graphic Designers$57,170$27.491,930
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$45,710$21.97260
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,040$23.101,730
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$45,360$21.81120
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$33,700$16.203,570
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$49,170$23.64870
Health Education Specialists$64,720$31.11470
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$44,530$21.41470
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$82,480not published1,030
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$44,840$21.563,050
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$104,120$50.06280
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$67,940$32.67340
Healthcare Social Workers$60,840$29.253,100
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$49,730$23.91860
Hearing Aid Specialists$47,190$22.69220
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,750$22.48290
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$56,610$27.226,920
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$51,130$24.5834,170
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$37,990$18.26290
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters$36,180$17.3930
Helpers--Carpenters$36,090$17.35200
Helpers--Electricians$39,460$18.972,000
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$38,480$18.502,160
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$39,450$18.971,090
Helpers--Production Workers$36,610$17.601,950
Helpers--Roofers$37,860$18.2040
Highway Maintenance Workers$48,130$23.142,290
Historians$52,120$25.0660
History Teachers, Postsecondary$73,670not published280
Home Appliance Repairers$47,460$22.82380
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$30,110$14.4840,750
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$27,000$12.987,990
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$30,020$14.435,910
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$45,300$21.781,190
Human Resources Managers$124,290$59.762,400
Human Resources Specialists$65,370$31.4313,720
Hydrologists$65,770$31.62100
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$70,080$33.692,400
Industrial Engineers$101,060$48.597,960
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$62,330$29.969,890
Industrial Production Managers$126,880$61.006,390
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$43,680$21.0014,210
Information Security Analysts$105,800$50.871,720
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$49,440$23.77850
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,890$22.5413,360
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$46,430$22.322,240
Instructional Coordinators$65,460$31.474,370
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$47,020$22.61730
Insulation Workers, Mechanical$50,440$24.25630
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage$86,680$41.67220
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$44,650$21.464,110
Insurance Sales Agents$61,350$29.508,220
Insurance Underwriters$79,570$38.26910
Interior Designers$63,790$30.67940
Interpreters and Translators$50,860$24.45520
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$38,830$18.67940
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,180$14.9930,100
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$60,380$29.03200
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates$86,210$41.45670
Judicial Law Clerks$50,330$24.20230
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$60,890not published1,540
Labor Relations Specialists$78,050$37.53340
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,530$18.0456,700
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$36,710$17.6515,600
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,490$23.79370
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$30,470$14.653,160
Law Teachers, Postsecondary$162,400not published110
Lawyers$120,310$57.847,890
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic$41,650$20.0240
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$52,840$25.412,280
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$62,640$30.122,130
Library Assistants, Clerical$33,980$16.34960
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary$65,310not published40
Library Technicians$36,070$17.34650
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,820$29.729,400
Life Scientists, All Other$169,440$81.46not published
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$58,960$28.351,290
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$26,210$12.601,900
Light Truck Drivers$37,680$18.1211,950
Lighting Technicians$46,720$22.4660
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining$80,480$38.6930
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$47,500$22.842,820
Loan Officers$63,220$30.394,140
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$33,250$15.99140
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers$46,560$22.39140
Locomotive Engineers$89,290$42.93380
Lodging Managers$62,990$30.29640
Log Graders and Scalers$44,370$21.3340
Logging Equipment Operators$47,650$22.91920
Logisticians$80,330$38.625,250
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$38,050$18.29680
Machinists$57,970$27.873,790
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$83,550$40.17730
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,260$14.5514,500
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$36,780$17.68580
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$64,910$31.21960
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$47,880$23.0228,020
Management Analysts$100,660$48.4012,340
Managers, All Other$129,960$62.482,210
Manicurists and Pedicurists$33,810$16.26710
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers$44,120$21.2140
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects$136,990$65.8640
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69,440$33.3811,920
Marketing Managers$143,290$68.893,760
Marriage and Family Therapists$55,430$26.65380
Massage Therapists$58,000$27.881,840
Material Moving Workers, All Other$39,370$18.9390
Materials Engineers$121,610$58.47600
Materials Scientists$101,930$49.0180
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$77,580not published700
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$34,790$16.722,750
Mechanical Door Repairers$49,510$23.80190
Mechanical Drafters$63,740$30.64640
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$69,580$33.451,290
Mechanical Engineers$104,580$50.285,780
Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other$74,010$35.5850
Medical Appliance Technicians$42,230$20.30200
Medical Assistants$41,160$19.7912,110
Medical Dosimetrists$140,530$67.5660
Medical Equipment Preparers$42,510$20.441,160
Medical Equipment Repairers$46,120$22.17800
Medical Records Specialists$54,280$26.102,750
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsnot publishednot published1,020
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$40,170$19.3115,630
Medical Transcriptionists$33,870$16.29390
Medical and Health Services Managers$105,620$50.789,350
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$51,830$24.921,240
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$39,930$19.20720
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$36,810$17.702,550
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$46,470$22.34400
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$44,160$21.23290
Meter Readers, Utilities$47,850$23.01410
Microbiologists$64,740$31.13100
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60,810not published9,750
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,340$23.24120
Millwrights$61,700$29.66950
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers$98,790$47.5040
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,500$21.8842,150
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$48,080$23.11210
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,740$22.952,560
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$59,180$28.452,830
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$46,110$22.17550
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,270$21.763,240
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$40,020$19.24400
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$27,840$13.38450
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$49,080$23.60620
Motorcycle Mechanics$52,160$25.08220
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,740$21.994,520
Museum Technicians and Conservators$38,290$18.4190
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners$44,870$21.5790
Musicians and Singersnot published$19.27330
Natural Sciences Managers$131,140$63.05780
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$92,520$44.483,580
Neurologists$352,680$169.5640
New Accounts Clerks$45,500$21.8860
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$47,940$23.05480
Nuclear Engineers$126,570$60.851,440
Nuclear Medicine Technologists$90,230$43.38280
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$118,620$57.03320
Nuclear Technicians$108,490$52.16750
Nurse Anesthetists$265,480$127.641,010
Nurse Midwives$122,390$58.84100
Nurse Practitioners$123,290$59.285,670
Nursing Assistants$37,220$17.9021,760
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$79,540not published1,150
Obstetricians and Gynecologists$302,340$145.36350
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$88,080$42.352,170
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$58,490$28.12420
Occupational Therapists$101,130$48.621,840
Occupational Therapy Aides$31,950$15.3650
Occupational Therapy Assistants$73,740$35.45830
Office Clerks, General$36,840$17.7142,250
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$33,870$16.28190
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$51,060$24.55650
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$48,940$23.538,160
Operations Research Analysts$80,240$38.581,380
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians$34,140$16.42130
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$40,400$19.421,470
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$214,160$102.96100
Opticians, Dispensing$48,000$23.08890
Optometrists$145,950$70.17480
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$239,200 or more$115.00 or morenot published
Order Clerks$41,740$20.07740
Orderlies$36,480$17.541,430
Orthodontists$311,450$149.73not published
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$239,200 or more$115.00 or more100
Orthotists and Prosthetists$79,990$38.46230
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$47,510$22.84660
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$40,010$19.244,890
Packers and Packagers, Hand$32,180$15.477,610
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$40,840$19.642,080
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers$43,820$21.07140
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50,040$24.062,460
Paperhangers$46,800$22.5050
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$53,880$25.907,420
Paramedics$53,550$25.742,250
Parking Attendants$31,490$15.141,300
Parking Enforcement Workers$43,040$20.69120
Parts Salespersons$32,180$15.474,600
Passenger Attendants$28,710$13.80120
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$46,950$22.57630
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$52,240$25.121,550
Pediatricians, General$217,120$104.38420
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$44,550$21.42340
Personal Financial Advisors$96,330$46.312,400
Personal Service Managers, All Other$61,100$29.38not published
Pest Control Workers$43,130$20.732,660
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$38,100$18.32610
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$58,160$27.9670
Pharmacists$135,700$65.245,320
Pharmacy Aides$36,140$17.38360
Pharmacy Technicians$42,120$20.258,070
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$77,230not published250
Phlebotomists$39,010$18.762,760
Photographers$37,890$18.22630
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators$30,010$14.4350
Physical Scientists, All Other$141,130$67.8570
Physical Therapist Aides$33,280$16.00370
Physical Therapist Assistants$70,500$33.901,870
Physical Therapists$101,330$48.723,930
Physician Assistants$122,490$58.892,250
Physicians, All Other$274,480$131.964,510
Physicians, Pathologists$236,950$113.9280
Physicists$138,400$66.54420
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$81,210not published150
Pipelayers$45,180$21.72670
Plant and System Operators, All Other$56,060$26.95150
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44,560$21.43470
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$53,940$25.935,770
Podiatrists$167,110$80.3470
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$58,070$27.9212,930
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary$78,650not published210
Postal Service Clerks$62,610$30.10960
Postal Service Mail Carriers$57,700$27.745,650
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$58,390$28.071,280
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$98,940$47.57210
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$77,940not published1,600
Power Distributors and Dispatchers$91,570$44.02190
Power Plant Operators$79,900$38.41680
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other$57,480$27.6370
Prepress Technicians and Workers$45,900$22.07200
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$34,500$16.594,550
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$29,160$14.02220
Print Binding and Finishing Workers$40,820$19.63340
Printing Press Operators$40,470$19.462,100
Private Detectives and Investigators$51,530$24.78620
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$56,780$27.30460
Procurement Clerks$49,810$23.95900
Producers and Directors$56,030$26.941,190
Production Workers, All Other$39,600$19.041,890
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$57,640$27.717,020
Project Management Specialists$95,040$45.6917,040
Proofreaders and Copy Markers$42,900$20.6340
Property Appraisers and Assessors$59,110$28.421,000
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$62,810$30.204,900
Protective Service Workers, All Other$44,130$21.22320
Psychiatric Aides$36,320$17.46200
Psychiatric Technicians$40,970$19.70560
Psychiatrists$237,250$114.06200
Psychologists, All Other$136,990$65.86140
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$74,890not published390
Public Relations Managers$104,920$50.44650
Public Relations Specialists$62,730$30.162,950
Public Safety Telecommunicators$43,540$20.941,490
Purchasing Managers$131,720$63.33830
Radiation Therapists$100,790$48.46200
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers$78,250$37.6240
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$69,600$33.463,630
Radiologists$174,480$83.89not published
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators$71,770$34.5130
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$73,660$35.42420
Real Estate Brokersnot publishednot published760
Real Estate Sales Agents$56,580$27.204,930
Receptionists and Information Clerks$35,510$17.0711,280
Recreation Workers$31,420$15.105,270
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$78,800not published280
Recreational Therapists$48,880$23.50190
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$56,490$27.16230
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons$37,870$18.2150
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$34,880$16.772,020
Registered Nurses$82,360$39.6049,750
Rehabilitation Counselors$35,990$17.31980
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers$41,020$19.7280
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$43,740$21.031,010
Residential Advisors$35,780$17.201,580
Respiratory Therapists$77,740$37.381,960
Retail Salespersons$30,690$14.7567,310
Riggers$51,020$24.53470
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,210$23.18820
Roofers$45,760$22.00850
Sailors and Marine Oilers$50,500$24.28210
Sales Engineers$114,250$54.93770
Sales Managers$131,080$63.029,340
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$58,510$28.1321,070
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$64,250$30.8922,010
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$111,190$53.463,760
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$42,210$20.29480
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$39,300$18.89810
School Bus Monitors$26,240$12.621,180
School Psychologists$76,720$36.89720
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$62,580not published16,080
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44,880$21.5830,180
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$55,390$26.637,230
Security Guards$35,460$17.0516,610
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$59,710$28.711,050
Self-Enrichment Teachers$39,800$19.143,430
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,320$23.71470
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$46,660$22.44640
Set and Exhibit Designersnot publishednot published50
Sewers, Hand$39,690$19.08not published
Sewing Machine Operators$38,250$18.392,460
Sheet Metal Workers$49,920$24.001,710
Ship Engineers$97,890$47.0680
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$43,430$20.8814,160
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$30,490$14.662,500
Skincare Specialists$39,670$19.071,210
Slaughterers and Meat Packers$46,000$22.12250
Social Science Research Assistants$64,490$31.00500
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$65,520not published280
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$83,780$40.28300
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$100,400not published80
Social Workers, All Other$96,350$46.32440
Social and Community Service Managers$73,410$35.291,990
Social and Human Service Assistants$38,550$18.545,220
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$78,410not published120
Software Developers$129,450$62.2413,230
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$97,500$46.881,740
Soil and Plant Scientists$78,850$37.9190
Solar Photovoltaic Installers$50,490$24.27not published
Sound Engineering Technicians$45,240$21.75not published
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$62,360not published2,950
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$62,310not published980
Special Education Teachers, Preschool$59,800not published170
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$62,150not published1,780
Speech-Language Pathologists$90,530$43.522,190
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$72,650$34.93170
Statistical Assistants$58,970$28.3540
Statisticians$65,450$31.46240
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,020$17.3241,800
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$50,750$24.40660
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$46,910$22.561,020
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$52,370$25.186,300
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$30,400$14.627,700
Surgeons, All Other$239,200 or more$115.00 or morenot published
Surgical Assistants$85,580$41.15480
Surgical Technologists$62,160$29.892,680
Surveying and Mapping Technicians$43,740$21.031,420
Surveyors$63,300$30.431,000
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$34,010$16.35480
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$33,030$15.88340
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$80,700$38.8090
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$61,110$29.38280
Tax Preparers$39,220$18.861,360
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$60,220not published1,380
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$27,860not published14,410
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$46,760not published2,730
Technical Writers$82,540$39.68700
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$61,480$29.562,130
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$59,790$28.751,310
Telemarketers$37,090$17.831,060
Telephone Operatorsnot publishednot published170
Tellers$42,280$20.334,400
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders$39,410$18.95770
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$41,740$20.07480
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39,760$19.121,500
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,280$18.402,240
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$39,960$19.21760
Therapists, All Other$90,980$43.7470
Tile and Stone Setters$43,510$20.92not published
Tire Repairers and Changers$35,040$16.851,920
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$46,740$22.47not published
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners$50,220$24.1580
Tool and Die Makers$65,250$31.37870
Tour and Travel Guides$35,190$16.92660
Traffic Technicians$57,080$27.44150
Training and Development Managers$119,460$57.43610
Training and Development Specialists$63,070$30.326,960
Transportation Inspectors$80,490$38.70440
Transportation Security Screeners$63,130$30.35480
Transportation Workers, All Othernot publishednot published40
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$106,860$51.373,460
Travel Agents$34,560$16.62680
Tree Trimmers and Pruners$43,660$20.99430
Tutors$33,220$15.971,510
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$61,290not published50
Upholsterers$38,880$18.69140
Urban and Regional Planners$75,810$36.45530
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$26,490$12.731,300
Veterinarians$122,130$58.721,380
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36,980$17.781,720
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$39,020$18.762,540
Waiters and Waitresses$18,370$8.8347,200
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$52,090$25.052,650
Web Developers$78,190$37.59710
Web and Digital Interface Designers$80,930$38.91800
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$45,760$22.00940
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$49,980$24.037,380
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,260$22.24340
Woodworkers, All Other$40,090$19.28not published
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$41,990$20.191,660
Word Processors and Typists$42,840$20.6030
Writers and Authors$51,920$24.96520
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$64,090$30.81250

"Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for this state. "$239,200 or more" and "$115.00 or more" are the highest values BLS reports in state tables.

How pay is spread in South Carolina

By median pay, South Carolina is number 45 of the 54 states and territories in the figures. The lowest-paid tenth of employees earned less than $27,070 a year and the highest-paid tenth more than $103,010. The middle half, between the 25% and 75% lines, earned from $34,630 to $70,340. For the whole country those outer lines were $31,200 and $128,560. The average (mean) pay was $59,280, 28% above the median, because high earners lift an average more than a median. The 2,305,080 jobs counted here are 1.5% of all jobs in the national figures.

The kinds of work

Adding up the occupations with a published job count, the largest fields of work in South Carolina are Office and Administrative Support (285,710 jobs, 12%), Sales and Related (230,290 jobs, 10%), Food Preparation and Serving Related (229,530 jobs, 10%) and Transportation and Material Moving (206,020 jobs, 9%). Some occupations are far more common here than elsewhere. Set against their share of all jobs in the country, the most concentrated are Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders (9.8 times the national share), Nuclear Technicians (7.8 times the national share) and Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (7.8 times the national share). The table on this page lists 728 occupations; for 17 of them the Bureau released a job count but no pay figure.

Same job, different pay

Among the 301 occupations with at least 1,000 jobs and a yearly median in the state, 26 pay more than the same occupation does nationally, 242 pay less and 33 are within 2%. The widest gaps above the national median are for General Internal Medicine Physicians ($359,500 here, $256,560 nationally), Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary ($79,610 here, $63,820 nationally) and Chemical Technicians ($75,020 here, $60,390 nationally). The widest gaps below it are for Waiters and Waitresses ($18,370 here, $35,230 nationally), Bartenders ($19,370 here, $34,340 nationally) and Driver/Sales Workers ($22,240 here, $38,770 nationally). A gap in pay is not a gap in living standard: prices, housing costs and taxes differ between states, and these statistics do not adjust for them.

Questions about pay in South Carolina

What is the median salary in South Carolina?

The median pay of all employees in South Carolina was $46,490 a year ($22.35 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national median was $50,980.

What is the most common job in South Carolina?

Retail Salespersons, with 67,310 jobs and a median pay of $30,690 a year.

What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?

The three highest medians published as a figure are General Internal Medicine Physicians ($359,500), Neurologists ($352,680) and Emergency Medicine Physicians ($341,960). Occupations shown as "$239,200 or more" are paid above the highest value the Bureau reports.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.

All states