Everything we can verify about jobs, pay and living in South Carolina, from official statistics, with source and date on every table.
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
South Carolina is in the South region (South Atlantic division), with 5,478,831 residents, a median age of 40.7 and a median household income of $72,350. The unemployment rate was 4.0% in 2026M09, and the state's price level is 93.7 against 100 for the US as a whole.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ | Rank among 50 states + DC ⇅ | Direction ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,350 | 39 of 51 | higher is better |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 29 of 51 | lower is better |
| Job openings rate | 4.1% | 20 of 51 | higher is better |
| Price level (RPP) | 93.7 | 19 of 51 | lower is better |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.3% | 35 of 51 | higher is better |
| Foreign-born share | 6.4% | 33 of 51 | higher is better |
See the 373 federal jobs open now →Country guide: United States250 largest cities
Neighbouring states in the South Atlantic division: Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Maryland · North Carolina · Virginia · West Virginia.
| Industry ⇅ | GDP ($ million, annual rate) ⇅ | Share of state GDP ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 60,802 | 15.6% |
| Manufacturing | 50,221 | 12.9% |
| Government and government enterprises | 49,434 | 12.7% |
| Wholesale trade | 29,907 | 7.7% |
| Retail trade | 28,580 | 7.3% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 25,233 | 6.5% |
| Health care and social assistance | 24,995 | 6.4% |
| Finance and insurance | 20,535 | 5.3% |
| Construction | 19,571 | 5.0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 17,028 | 4.4% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 13,669 | 3.5% |
| Information | 10,138 | 2.6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 9,234 | 2.4% |
| Other services (except government and government enterprises) | 8,755 | 2.2% |
| Utilities | 8,044 | 2.1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 3,902 | 1.0% |
| Educational services | 2,706 | 0.7% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 2,569 | 0.7% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 1,728 | 0.4% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 882 | 0.2% |
| Sector ⇅ | Jobs (payroll) ⇅ | Change in 12 months ⇅ | Month ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and logging | 4,800 | +2.1% | 2026M09 |
| Construction | 130,000 | +4.2% | 2026M09 |
| Manufacturing | 266,000 | +1.4% | 2026M09 |
| Trade, transportation and utilities | 443,600 | +0.4% | 2026M09 |
| Information | 24,700 | -8.9% | 2026M09 |
| Financial activities | 123,300 | +1.2% | 2026M09 |
| Professional and business services | 322,900 | +2.4% | 2026M09 |
| Education and health services | 327,600 | +3.2% | 2026M09 |
| Leisure and hospitality | 298,800 | +6.6% | 2026M09 |
| Other services | 94,500 | +3.7% | 2026M09 |
| Government | 402,600 | +0.7% | 2026M09 |
BEA values are seasonally adjusted annual rates averaged over the latest four quarters. BLS payroll counts are not seasonally adjusted. The state total of jobs is 2,438,800 (latest month).
| Occupation field ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Per 1,000 jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support | 285,690 | 123.9 | 1.09 | $43,520 | $29,190 | $67,880 | -8% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | 229,540 | 99.6 | 1.13 | $28,640 | $17,700 | $44,790 | -18% |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 206,200 | 89.5 | 1.02 | $38,610 | $28,360 | $61,950 | -13% |
| Sales and Related | 230,320 | 99.9 | 1.16 | $35,710 | $22,980 | $91,340 | -7% |
| Management | 126,870 | 55.0 | 0.77 | $110,640 | $58,720 | $214,510 | -13% |
| Business and Financial Operations | 130,680 | 56.7 | 0.84 | $77,740 | $46,320 | $142,670 | -6% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 146,120 | 63.4 | 1.00 | $79,750 | $40,780 | $156,990 | -8% |
| Educational Instruction and Library | 121,120 | 52.5 | 0.90 | $59,420 | $27,550 | $83,520 | -2% |
| Production | 179,000 | 77.7 | 1.41 | $46,680 | $34,080 | $74,280 | -1% |
| Healthcare Support | 94,000 | 40.8 | 0.80 | $35,470 | $27,300 | $48,300 | -7% |
| Construction and Extraction | 85,640 | 37.2 | 0.90 | $49,560 | $35,990 | $80,390 | -17% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 102,520 | 44.5 | 1.14 | $55,040 | $35,670 | $82,640 | -8% |
| Computer and Mathematical | 57,250 | 24.8 | 0.73 | $96,300 | $48,860 | $168,540 | -12% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 69,700 | 30.2 | 1.03 | $34,580 | $24,390 | $47,350 | -8% |
| Protective Service | 54,160 | 23.5 | 0.97 | $45,330 | $28,690 | $75,050 | -9% |
| Personal Care and Service | 50,340 | 21.8 | 1.04 | $31,060 | $21,360 | $54,910 | -15% |
| Community and Social Service | 31,550 | 13.7 | 0.80 | $50,710 | $34,780 | $82,720 | -13% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 46,240 | 20.1 | 1.19 | $94,260 | $53,140 | $145,770 | -5% |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | 20,920 | 9.1 | 0.69 | $50,720 | $27,760 | $106,430 | -19% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 16,650 | 7.2 | 0.76 | $75,900 | $47,020 | $133,470 | -8% |
| Legal | 17,430 | 7.6 | 0.90 | $68,710 | $40,410 | $190,420 | -33% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 3,150 | 1.4 | 0.49 | $44,940 | $29,370 | $66,830 | +23% |
| Industry ⇅ | Share of employed residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrative | 12.1% |
| Retail trade | 11.4% |
| Arts, entertainment, accommodation, food | 8.8% |
| Construction | 7.5% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate | 6.4% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities | 5.9% |
| Other services | 5.2% |
| Public administration | 3.9% |
| Wholesale trade | 1.9% |
| Information | 1.5% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining | 0.7% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | 1,260 | 1.27 | $359,500 | $102,500 | $441,010 | +40% |
| Physicians, All Other | 4,510 | 0.89 | $274,480 | $66,320 | $501,690 | +3% |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 1,010 | 1.31 | $265,480 | $210,100 | $401,600 | +12% |
| Family Medicine Physicians | 1,200 | 0.75 | $239,200 | $107,990 | $357,770 | -2% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 3,200 | 0.98 | $169,040 | $115,280 | $226,970 | -1% |
| Chief Executives | 1,740 | 0.57 | $168,840 | $49,760 | $393,490 | -21% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 4,930 | 0.50 | $160,860 | $95,990 | $233,500 | -8% |
| Dentists, General | 2,140 | 1.16 | $158,640 | $96,920 | $310,840 | -7% |
| Marketing Managers | 3,760 | 0.64 | $143,290 | $79,870 | $275,430 | -14% |
| Financial Managers | 9,020 | 0.72 | $136,160 | $78,930 | $277,850 | -18% |
| Pharmacists | 5,320 | 1.12 | $135,700 | $82,430 | $170,270 | -4% |
| Computer Network Architects | 1,950 | 0.73 | $134,990 | $82,060 | $185,160 | +1% |
| Sales Managers | 9,340 | 0.99 | $131,080 | $62,060 | $223,760 | -12% |
| Database Architects | 1,160 | 1.16 | $130,000 | $84,300 | $183,700 | -7% |
| Managers, All Other | 2,210 | 0.24 | $129,960 | $67,300 | $204,910 | -8% |
| Software Developers | 13,230 | 0.53 | $129,450 | $76,010 | $212,460 | -5% |
| Industrial Production Managers | 6,390 | 1.75 | $126,880 | $80,510 | $204,910 | +1% |
| Nuclear Engineers | 1,440 | 6.35 | $126,570 | $83,970 | $159,740 | -6% |
| Human Resources Managers | 2,400 | 0.73 | $124,290 | $70,840 | $209,380 | -17% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 5,670 | 1.18 | $123,290 | $97,080 | $160,170 | -7% |
| Physician Assistants | 2,250 | 0.94 | $122,490 | $77,620 | $158,860 | -10% |
| Veterinarians | 1,380 | 1.11 | $122,130 | $48,140 | $200,860 | -6% |
| Lawyers | 7,890 | 0.71 | $120,310 | $63,140 | $301,140 | -25% |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 1,030 | 0.72 | $113,720 | $79,350 | $161,890 | -13% |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | 4,300 | 0.67 | $112,260 | $53,840 | $165,640 | -4% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,500 | 7.78 | $39,760 | $35,230 | $48,530 | +1% |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,240 | 6.88 | $38,280 | $33,330 | $48,020 | -1% |
| Nuclear Engineers | 1,440 | 6.35 | $126,570 | $83,970 | $159,740 | -6% |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 1,080 | 5.66 | $43,380 | $35,640 | $59,740 | -6% |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 1,960 | 3.88 | $46,950 | $39,700 | $64,920 | -13% |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,460 | 2.82 | $51,620 | $35,360 | $72,860 | +13% |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 4,520 | 2.45 | $45,740 | $35,320 | $66,770 | -3% |
| Chemical Technicians | 2,080 | 2.43 | $75,020 | $48,860 | $81,820 | +24% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 1,290 | 2.40 | $69,580 | $49,350 | $96,610 | -7% |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 2,000 | 2.22 | $49,040 | $35,900 | $66,490 | +3% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 2,400 | 2.15 | $70,080 | $46,450 | $83,860 | +6% |
| Helpers--Electricians | 2,000 | 2.12 | $39,460 | $29,690 | $49,260 | -8% |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 42,150 | 2.02 | $45,500 | $33,740 | $74,280 | +2% |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 4,040 | 1.95 | $56,240 | $37,700 | $72,590 | -3% |
| Bill and Account Collectors | 4,430 | 1.88 | $43,140 | $33,390 | $57,470 | -8% |
| Orderlies | 1,430 | 1.84 | $36,480 | $29,640 | $46,300 | -5% |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 1,660 | 1.82 | $41,990 | $29,720 | $57,010 | -3% |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,560 | 1.82 | $47,740 | $35,680 | $64,700 | -3% |
| Industrial Production Managers | 6,390 | 1.75 | $126,880 | $80,510 | $204,910 | +1% |
| Pest Control Workers | 2,660 | 1.75 | $43,130 | $32,850 | $59,890 | -5% |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,730 | 1.74 | $48,040 | $38,540 | $60,050 | +3% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,460 | 1.73 | $50,040 | $37,560 | $79,320 | -0% |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | 4,930 | 1.72 | $56,580 | $36,530 | $189,590 | +7% |
| Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 1,090 | 1.66 | $39,450 | $31,060 | $47,690 | -7% |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | 1,420 | 1.65 | $43,740 | $36,500 | $64,660 | -19% |
Occupations with a page of their own link to it. Pay above $239,200 a year is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top-code). "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure.
There are 373 federal job postings open now in South Carolina (USAJOBS). This is the federal government only: most US jobs are in the private sector and are advertised on employers' own sites, so use the pay and demand tables on this page for the whole labour market.
Open the South Carolina jobs →
| Agency ⇅ | Open postings ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Veterans Health Administration | 76 |
| Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System | 38 |
| Federal Aviation Administration | 37 |
| Indian Health Service | 19 |
| Department of the Air Force Headquarters | 18 |
| U.S. Marine Corps | 13 |
| Air Combat Command | 13 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 11 |
| Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command | 11 |
| Defense Commissary Agency | 10 |
| Department of Energy Headquarters | 10 |
| United States Army Installation Management Command | 9 |
| U.S. Army Reserve Command | 9 |
| U.S. Army Medical Command | 8 |
| Immigration and Customs Enforcement | 8 |
| Series ⇅ | Open postings ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Medical Officer | 17 |
| Aviation Safety | 14 |
| Nurse | 13 |
| Miscellaneous Administration And Program | 12 |
| General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series | 9 |
| Health Aid And Technician | 8 |
| General Engineering | 8 |
| Contracting | 8 |
| Sales Store Clerical | 8 |
| Information Technology Management | 8 |
| Correctional Officer | 8 |
| Human Resources Management | 8 |
| Social Science | 7 |
| Criminal Investigation | 7 |
| Social Work | 6 |
Median starting salary in postings that list a yearly range: $70,175 (312 postings).
3 of the 250 largest US cities are in South Carolina.
| City ⇅ | Population ⇅ | Median household income ⇅ | Median rent ⇅ | Unemployment (ACS) ⇅ | Bachelor's+ ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 154,338 | $92,414 | $1,722 | 3.4% | 58.3% |
| Columbia | 139,643 | $55,529 | $1,204 | 7.5% | 45.9% |
| North Charleston | 119,913 | $62,956 | $1,430 | 4.3% | 28.6% |
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The median wage in South Carolina is $46,490 a year ($22.35 an hour) against $50,980 nationally (-9%). The 10th percentile earns $27,070 and the 90th $103,010.
| Occupation field ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Per 1,000 jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support | 285,690 | 123.9 | 1.09 | $43,520 | $29,190 | $67,880 | -8% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | 229,540 | 99.6 | 1.13 | $28,640 | $17,700 | $44,790 | -18% |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 206,200 | 89.5 | 1.02 | $38,610 | $28,360 | $61,950 | -13% |
| Sales and Related | 230,320 | 99.9 | 1.16 | $35,710 | $22,980 | $91,340 | -7% |
| Management | 126,870 | 55.0 | 0.77 | $110,640 | $58,720 | $214,510 | -13% |
| Business and Financial Operations | 130,680 | 56.7 | 0.84 | $77,740 | $46,320 | $142,670 | -6% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 146,120 | 63.4 | 1.00 | $79,750 | $40,780 | $156,990 | -8% |
| Educational Instruction and Library | 121,120 | 52.5 | 0.90 | $59,420 | $27,550 | $83,520 | -2% |
| Production | 179,000 | 77.7 | 1.41 | $46,680 | $34,080 | $74,280 | -1% |
| Healthcare Support | 94,000 | 40.8 | 0.80 | $35,470 | $27,300 | $48,300 | -7% |
| Construction and Extraction | 85,640 | 37.2 | 0.90 | $49,560 | $35,990 | $80,390 | -17% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 102,520 | 44.5 | 1.14 | $55,040 | $35,670 | $82,640 | -8% |
| Computer and Mathematical | 57,250 | 24.8 | 0.73 | $96,300 | $48,860 | $168,540 | -12% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 69,700 | 30.2 | 1.03 | $34,580 | $24,390 | $47,350 | -8% |
| Protective Service | 54,160 | 23.5 | 0.97 | $45,330 | $28,690 | $75,050 | -9% |
| Personal Care and Service | 50,340 | 21.8 | 1.04 | $31,060 | $21,360 | $54,910 | -15% |
| Community and Social Service | 31,550 | 13.7 | 0.80 | $50,710 | $34,780 | $82,720 | -13% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 46,240 | 20.1 | 1.19 | $94,260 | $53,140 | $145,770 | -5% |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | 20,920 | 9.1 | 0.69 | $50,720 | $27,760 | $106,430 | -19% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 16,650 | 7.2 | 0.76 | $75,900 | $47,020 | $133,470 | -8% |
| Legal | 17,430 | 7.6 | 0.90 | $68,710 | $40,410 | $190,420 | -33% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 3,150 | 1.4 | 0.49 | $44,940 | $29,370 | $66,830 | +23% |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set; graduated states show 0 until you enter your own estimate. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
| Rule ⇅ | In South Carolina ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage (per hour) | No state minimum law: federal $7.25 applies |
| State income tax on wages | Graduated, top rate 6.00% |
| Right-to-work state | Yes |
| State paid family and medical leave program | No program listed in our source |
| Employment | At-will in most states (either side can end the job with notice, with legal exceptions) |
Nationwide rules (overtime after 40 hours, family leave, discrimination, visas) are on the country guide. Many cities and counties set higher minimum wages or paid sick leave; check the local government. Confirm all figures with the official sources before acting.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Price level, all items (US = 100) | 93.7 |
| Median gross rent per month | $1,272 |
| Median home value | $299,500 |
| Homeowners (share of households) | 72.3% |
| Poverty rate | 13.3% |
| Drive alone to work | 74.9% |
| Public transit to work | 0.3% |
| Work from home | 12.3% |
| Commute of 45 minutes or more | 15.9% |
Regional price parities measure how much it costs to buy the same basket of goods and services: 100 is the national average.
6.4% of residents of South Carolina were born abroad (351,193 people).
| Country of birth ⇅ | Residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 66,138 |
| India | 19,651 |
| Colombia | 14,627 |
| Honduras | 14,307 |
| Philippines | 11,291 |
| Guatemala | 11,116 |
| Germany | 9,567 |
| Canada | 8,990 |
| Jamaica | 8,610 |
| China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan | 8,420 |
| Ukraine | 7,097 |
| Brazil | 6,896 |
| Venezuela | 6,676 |
| Vietnam | 6,320 |
| England | 5,104 |
Work permits and visas are federal. See permits and first steps and, for your country, Working in the US from your country.
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal $7.25 applies (the federal minimum is $7.25; the higher rate applies for most workers). Source: US Department of Labor.
Graduated, top rate 6.00% (Tax Foundation, rates as of 01/01/2026).
4.0% in 2026M09 (BLS, seasonally adjusted).
$72,350 (Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, 2024 dollars).
373 postings on USAJOBS today. Private-sector jobs are not included.