Average Salary in South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina has become one of the most active foreign-direct-investment destinations in the US — BMW's Spartanburg plant is now the automaker's largest factory in the world by output, Boeing assembles the 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston, and Volvo, Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Michelin all operate major facilities in the state. That manufacturing base, combined with a $7.25/hour minimum wage at the federal floor and a right-to-work labour framework, has drawn consistent investment over three decades. The $63,623 median household income is below the national average, but the cost-of-living index of 94 gives households reasonable effective purchasing power. Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville are the three economic centres — Charleston's tourism-and-port economy is distinct from the Upstate's manufacturing cluster around Greenville-Spartanburg, which in turn is distinct from Columbia's state-government and insurance economy. The state income tax was reformed in 2023 and 2024 and currently ranges from 0 to 6.5%, with a path toward 6% under enacted legislation. Military employment is significant — Joint Base Charleston, Shaw AFB, Fort Jackson, and Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot collectively employ thousands. Property taxes are low. Full data follows.