Jobs that actually got a raise in South Carolina

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average (2024), so a South Carolina salary is worth about 1.07× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in South Carolina.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in South Carolina

OccupationMedian, South Carolina · Real change since 2019

1Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$46,760
Bachelor's degree
$19,630 – $60,510+94.3%+144.7% nominal
2Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$111,190
Bachelor's degree
$50,690 – $199,820+37.5%+73.1% nominal
3Chemical Technicians$75,020
Associate's degree
$48,860 – $81,820+35.2%+70.3% nominal
4Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$33,700
Postsecondary nondegree award
$21,340 – $77,430+32.3%+66.6% nominal
5Chefs and Head Cooks$71,860
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,640 – $88,880+31.7%+65.9% nominal
6Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$79,610
Bachelor's degree
$37,860 – $103,660+31.4%+65.5% nominal
7Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$59,210
Bachelor's degree
$34,040 – $82,780+27.9%+61.1% nominal
8Highway Maintenance Workers$48,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,740 – $60,780+27.6%+60.7% nominal
9Insurance Underwriters$79,570
Bachelor's degree
$51,020 – $134,950+26.8%+59.6% nominal
10Personal Financial Advisors$96,330
Bachelor's degree
$45,420 – $250,180+25.8%+58.4% nominal
11Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$52,240
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,180 – $77,660+25.7%+58.4% nominal
12Interior Designers$63,790
Bachelor's degree
$40,720 – $101,360+25.7%+58.2% nominal
13Massage Therapists$58,000
Postsecondary nondegree award
$17,340 – $95,540+25.4%+57.9% nominal
14Nurse Anesthetists$265,480
Master's degree
$210,100 – $401,600+25.2%+57.7% nominal
15Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$88,080
Bachelor's degree
$57,520 – $135,940+24.7%+57.1% nominal
16Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$34,960
No formal educational credential
$21,890 – $42,680+23.8%+55.9% nominal
17Computer Network Architects$134,990
Bachelor's degree
$82,060 – $185,160+23.5%+55.6% nominal
18Surgical Technologists$62,160
Postsecondary nondegree award
$38,830 – $75,210+23.3%+55.2% nominal
19Machinists$57,970
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,270 – $75,650+23.1%+55.0% nominal
20Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$34,880
No formal educational credential
$22,340 – $50,600+22.8%+54.6% nominal
21Counter and Rental Clerks$37,340
No formal educational credential
$25,730 – $54,460+21.9%+53.5% nominal
22Advertising Sales Agents$68,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$25,750 – $147,110+21.9%+53.5% nominal
23Orderlies$36,480
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,640 – $46,300+21.8%+53.3% nominal
24Childcare Workers$29,650
High school diploma or equivalent
$22,020 – $37,720+20.9%+52.2% nominal
25Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34,230
No formal educational credential
$22,930 – $42,970+20.5%+51.8% nominal
26Sewing Machine Operators$38,250
No formal educational credential
$26,690 – $47,210+20.3%+51.5% nominal
27Parking Attendants$31,490
No formal educational credential
$18,330 – $37,400+20.0%+51.1% nominal
28Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$34,500
Associate's degree
$26,820 – $49,900+19.2%+50.1% nominal
29Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$34,790
No formal educational credential
$34,090 – $39,390+18.0%+48.5% nominal
30Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,260
No formal educational credential
$23,060 – $37,290+17.4%+47.8% nominal
31Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,520
No formal educational credential
$22,340 – $35,020+16.5%+46.7% nominal
32Bakers$35,460
No formal educational credential
$25,340 – $45,330+16.2%+46.3% nominal
33Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$82,480
Doctoral or professional degree
$59,460 – $137,930+15.9%+46.0% nominal
34Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,270
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,670 – $62,150+15.9%+45.9% nominal
35Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$59,710
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,940 – $76,540+15.9%+45.9% nominal
36Nursing Assistants$37,220
Postsecondary nondegree award
$30,460 – $44,760+15.7%+45.7% nominal
37Stockers and Order Fillers$36,020
No formal educational credential
$29,810 – $46,830+15.6%+45.5% nominal
38Computer Network Support Specialists$76,790
Associate's degree
$48,800 – $113,780+15.0%+44.8% nominal
39Cooks, Restaurant$35,740
No formal educational credential
$26,200 – $45,680+14.9%+44.6% nominal
40Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,820
Postsecondary nondegree award
$50,370 – $76,420+14.6%+44.4% nominal
41Production Workers, All Other$39,600
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,880 – $57,500+14.3%+43.9% nominal
42Cooks, Fast Food$27,420
No formal educational credential
$21,690 – $37,140+14.3%+43.9% nominal
43Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$59,330
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,440 – $76,670+14.2%+43.8% nominal
44Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51,620
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,360 – $72,860+14.0%+43.5% nominal
45Medical Equipment Repairers$46,120
Associate's degree
$18,060 – $73,540+13.8%+43.3% nominal
46Dishwashers$29,160
No formal educational credential
$22,290 – $36,150+13.6%+43.0% nominal
47Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$58,510
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,280 – $126,680+13.6%+43.0% nominal
48Couriers and Messengers$36,710
High school diploma or equivalent
$25,000 – $46,040+13.3%+42.7% nominal
49Child, Family, and School Social Workers$51,800
Bachelor's degree
$38,530 – $77,390+13.1%+42.5% nominal
50Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,040
No formal educational credential
$17,890 – $39,260+12.8%+42.0% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianSouth Carolina	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$46,760	$19,630 – $60,510	+94.3%+144.7% nominal
2	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$111,190	$50,690 – $199,820	+37.5%+73.1% nominal
3	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$75,020	$48,860 – $81,820	+35.2%+70.3% nominal
4	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$33,700	$21,340 – $77,430	+32.3%+66.6% nominal
5	Chefs and Head CooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$71,860	$47,640 – $88,880	+31.7%+65.9% nominal
6	Career/Technical Education Teachers, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$79,610	$37,860 – $103,660	+31.4%+65.5% nominal
7	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$59,210	$34,040 – $82,780	+27.9%+61.1% nominal
8	Highway Maintenance WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,130	$37,740 – $60,780	+27.6%+60.7% nominal
9	Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree	$79,570	$51,020 – $134,950	+26.8%+59.6% nominal
10	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$96,330	$45,420 – $250,180	+25.8%+58.4% nominal
11	Payroll and Timekeeping ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52,240	$38,180 – $77,660	+25.7%+58.4% nominal
12	Interior DesignersBachelor's degree	$63,790	$40,720 – $101,360	+25.7%+58.2% nominal
13	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$58,000	$17,340 – $95,540	+25.4%+57.9% nominal
14	Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree	$265,480	$210,100 – $401,600	+25.2%+57.7% nominal
15	Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$88,080	$57,520 – $135,940	+24.7%+57.1% nominal
16	Cooks, Institution and CafeteriaNo formal educational credential	$34,960	$21,890 – $42,680	+23.8%+55.9% nominal
17	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$134,990	$82,060 – $185,160	+23.5%+55.6% nominal
18	Surgical TechnologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,160	$38,830 – $75,210	+23.3%+55.2% nominal
19	MachinistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,970	$38,270 – $75,650	+23.1%+55.0% nominal
20	Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsNo formal educational credential	$34,880	$22,340 – $50,600	+22.8%+54.6% nominal
21	Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential	$37,340	$25,730 – $54,460	+21.9%+53.5% nominal
22	Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$68,200	$25,750 – $147,110	+21.9%+53.5% nominal
23	OrderliesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,480	$29,640 – $46,300	+21.8%+53.3% nominal
24	Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$29,650	$22,020 – $37,720	+20.9%+52.2% nominal
25	Cleaners of Vehicles and EquipmentNo formal educational credential	$34,230	$22,930 – $42,970	+20.5%+51.8% nominal
26	Sewing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$38,250	$26,690 – $47,210	+20.3%+51.5% nominal
27	Parking AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$31,490	$18,330 – $37,400	+20.0%+51.1% nominal
28	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$34,500	$26,820 – $49,900	+19.2%+50.1% nominal
29	Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersNo formal educational credential	$34,790	$34,090 – $39,390	+18.0%+48.5% nominal
30	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$30,260	$23,060 – $37,290	+17.4%+47.8% nominal
31	Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential	$27,520	$22,340 – $35,020	+16.5%+46.7% nominal
32	BakersNo formal educational credential	$35,460	$25,340 – $45,330	+16.2%+46.3% nominal
33	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,480	$59,460 – $137,930	+15.9%+46.0% nominal
34	Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,270	$34,670 – $62,150	+15.9%+45.9% nominal
35	Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,710	$35,940 – $76,540	+15.9%+45.9% nominal
36	Nursing AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,220	$30,460 – $44,760	+15.7%+45.7% nominal
37	Stockers and Order FillersNo formal educational credential	$36,020	$29,810 – $46,830	+15.6%+45.5% nominal
38	Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree	$76,790	$48,800 – $113,780	+15.0%+44.8% nominal
39	Cooks, RestaurantNo formal educational credential	$35,740	$26,200 – $45,680	+14.9%+44.6% nominal
40	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$61,820	$50,370 – $76,420	+14.6%+44.4% nominal
41	Production Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,600	$30,880 – $57,500	+14.3%+43.9% nominal
42	Cooks, Fast FoodNo formal educational credential	$27,420	$21,690 – $37,140	+14.3%+43.9% nominal
43	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,330	$41,440 – $76,670	+14.2%+43.8% nominal
44	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,620	$35,360 – $72,860	+14.0%+43.5% nominal
45	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$46,120	$18,060 – $73,540	+13.8%+43.3% nominal
46	DishwashersNo formal educational credential	$29,160	$22,290 – $36,150	+13.6%+43.0% nominal
47	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,510	$32,280 – $126,680	+13.6%+43.0% nominal
48	Couriers and MessengersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,710	$25,000 – $46,040	+13.3%+42.7% nominal
49	Child, Family, and School Social WorkersBachelor's degree	$51,800	$38,530 – $77,390	+13.1%+42.5% nominal
50	Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$27,040	$17,890 – $39,260	+12.8%+42.0% nominal

More for South Carolina

Metro areas in South Carolina

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in South Carolina

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in South Carolina to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in South Carolina

More for South Carolina

Metro areas in South Carolina

By field in South Carolina

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state