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Hourly Wage Index
Discover how your pay practices stack up against other regions, positions, and industries. 
HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in South Carolina

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$7.25

What is the minimum wage in South Carolina?

The South Carolina minimum wage follows the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. Employers are required to pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage, and if a state minimum wage is higher than the federal rate, employers must pay the higher state rate. Employers are also required to pay their employees for overtime at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

However, it's important to note that the South Carolina minimum wage laws can change over time, so it is advisable to always stay up to date with the latest minimum wage data to make sure that you are competitive when it comes to hourly employee pay. 

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$20.26

What is the average wage in South Carolina?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average hourly wage in South Carolina was $20.26 for all occupations. This is lower than the national average of $22.33 per hour. However, wages can vary greatly depending on the specific occupation. For example, the average hourly wage for management occupations in South Carolina was $49.94, while the average hourly wage for food preparation and serving occupations was $9.24.

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
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We're here to help!

A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

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