Salaries in South Carolina.
3 metro areas. 3445 roles.
Average cost-of-living index: 0.94x national average. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$343,000
Technical Fellow
Median Role
$306,000
Principal Applied Scientist
Entry Level
$295,000
Principal NLP Engineer
Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated June 2026.
South Carolina has 3 major metro areas tracked in our salary database, with an average cost-of-living index of 0.94x the national average. The highest-paying role across the state is Technical Fellow at $343,000 in Charleston. The median role pays $306,000.
Metro areas in South Carolina
Top 30 salaries in South Carolina
Tax considerations in South Carolina
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. Charleston has no city income tax. The state rate is moderate, and the affordable cost of living keeps net pay competitive.
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. Columbia has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by very affordable housing and living costs.
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. North Charleston has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by affordable housing and strong employer demand.
Other states
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