verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Social Worker Salary in South Carolina

Median Annual in South Carolina
$51,800/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.90/hr
▼ 13% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Carolina

groups Employed in SC
5,520
public U.S. Median
$59,550
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$55,254 #38 of 51

Social Worker pay in South Carolina, explained

Social workers in South Carolina earn a median of $51,800 per year ($24.90 per hour), which is 13% below the national median of $59,550. Entry-level workers earn around $38,530, while the most experienced social workers reach about $77,390. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Carolina.

Is $51,800 good pay in South Carolina?

Adjusted for South Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $51,800 is worth about $55,254 in national buying power — ranking South Carolina #38 for real pay (vs #38 on the sticker number).

See the full Social Worker Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Social Worker pay by experience in South Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,530
$18.52/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$51,800
$24.90/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$77,390
$37.21/hr

Social Worker pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SC
South Carolina (here) $51,800 $55,254
North Carolina $59,610 $63,196 −$7,810
Georgia $47,510 $49,339 +$4,290

Social Worker in South Carolina: FAQ

How much do social workers make in South Carolina?

Social workers in South Carolina earn a median of $51,800 per year ($24.90 per hour), compared with $59,550 nationally.

Does South Carolina pay social workers well?

At $51,800, South Carolina pays 13% below the national median for social workers. An estimated 5,520 work in the state.

Social Worker salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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