South Carolina's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $15,080 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $13,778 a year, or $529.94 every two weeks.
What the South Carolina minimum wage pays
| At $7.25 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $7.25 |
| Per 8-hour day | $58.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $290.00 |
| Every two weeks | $580.00 |
| Per month | $1,256.67 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $15,080.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $529.94 |
| Take-home per year | $13,778.44 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and South Carolina income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $7,540 a year and about $6,963 after taxes.
South Carolina minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | South Carolina has no state minimum wage law. If your employer is covered by federal law, you must be paid at least the federal $7.25 an hour. | US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws |
| Tipped workers | Under the federal rule that applies in South Carolina, tipped workers can be paid $2.13 an hour in cash if tips bring them up to $7.25. | US Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees |
| Overtime (federal rule) | Overtime follows the federal rule: non-exempt workers get at least time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Federal law does not require overtime for weekends, holidays or long single days. | US Department of Labor, Fact Sheet #23: Overtime Pay Requirements of the FLSA |
How South Carolina's minimum wage compares
South Carolina is one of 20 states where the federal $7.25 is the minimum: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
The typical (median) worker in South Carolina earns $22.35 an hour, so the minimum wage is 32% of the median wage. 10% of South Carolina workers earn less than $13.01 an hour and 25% less than $16.65 (BLS, May 2025, all 2,305,080 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in South Carolina, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $8.83 | 47,200 |
| Bartenders | $9.31 | 10,680 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $10.69 | 6,430 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $12.60 | 1,900 |
| School Bus Monitors | $12.62 | 1,180 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $12.73 | 1,300 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $15,080 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | $341 | $664 |
| 1 child | $4,427 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $6,032 | $6,032 |
| 3 children or more | $6,786 | $6,786 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $15,080 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $377 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $754. Source
South Carolina minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in South Carolina?
$7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage, which applies because the state rate is not higher.
How much is the South Carolina minimum wage a year?
$15,080 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $1,257 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $13,778.
How much is the South Carolina minimum wage after taxes?
About $529.94 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and South Carolina taxes.
Is South Carolina's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the South Carolina minimum wage?
$10.88 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Alabama minimum wage ($7.25) · Georgia minimum wage ($7.25) · Idaho minimum wage ($7.25) · Indiana minimum wage ($7.25) · Iowa minimum wage ($7.25) · Kansas minimum wage ($7.25) · Kentucky minimum wage ($7.25) · Louisiana minimum wage ($7.25)
Related
South Carolina paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $7.25
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.