Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
62 Highest Paying Jobs in South Carolina (2026)
The highest-paying job in South Carolina is Family Medicine Physician with a state-aggregated median salary of $231,790 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 62 occupations the average median is $98,325, with 27 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. South Carolina's average cost-of-living index is 90, so the average median equates to $109,250 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 62 occupations below are ranked by median wage across South Carolina — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in South Carolina's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing South Carolina to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in South Carolina
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across South Carolina's single tracked metro.
State median $231,790 · 310 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($231,790)
Family Medicine Physicians in South Carolina earn $231,790 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $231,790 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $227,540 · 180 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($227,540)
Pediatricians in South Carolina earn $227,540 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $227,540 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $161,180 · 870 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($161,180)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in South Carolina earn $161,180 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $161,180 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $161,170 · 390 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($161,170)
Computer Network Architects in South Carolina earn $161,170 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $161,170 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $149,380 · 70 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($149,380)
Optometrists in South Carolina earn $149,380 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $149,380 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $148,480 · 720 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($148,480)
Marketing Managers in South Carolina earn $148,480 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $148,480 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $145,610 · 1,880 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($145,610)
Financial Managers in South Carolina earn $145,610 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $145,610 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $139,940 · 540 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($139,940)
Dentists in South Carolina earn $139,940 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $139,940 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $135,580 · 900 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($135,580)
Pharmacists in South Carolina earn $135,580 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $135,580 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $129,090 · 1,770 jobs · top metro: Greenville ($129,090)
Sales Managers in South Carolina earn $129,090 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Greenville) pays $129,090 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 62 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $231,790 | Greenville | $231,790 | 310 |
| 2 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $227,540 | Greenville | $227,540 | 180 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $161,180 | Greenville | $161,180 | 870 |
| 4 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $161,170 | Greenville | $161,170 | 390 |
| 5 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $149,380 | Greenville | $149,380 | 70 |
| 6 | Marketing Manager | Management | $148,480 | Greenville | $148,480 | 720 |
| 7 | Financial Manager | Finance | $145,610 | Greenville | $145,610 | 1,880 |
| 8 | Dentist | Healthcare | $139,940 | Greenville | $139,940 | 540 |
| 9 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $135,580 | Greenville | $135,580 | 900 |
| 10 | Sales Manager | Management | $129,090 | Greenville | $129,090 | 1,770 |
| 11 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $126,550 | Greenville | $126,550 | 480 |
| 12 | Lawyer | Legal | $124,970 | Greenville | $124,970 | 1,290 |
| 13 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $123,920 | Greenville | $123,920 | 320 |
| 14 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $123,310 | Greenville | $123,310 | 440 |
| 15 | Software Developer | Technology | $121,790 | Greenville | $121,790 | 2,070 |
| 16 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $119,280 | Greenville | $119,280 | 1,120 |
| 17 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $108,050 | Greenville | $108,050 | 260 |
| 18 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $106,750 | Greenville | $106,750 | 5,780 |
| 19 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $105,400 | Greenville | $105,400 | 280 |
| 20 | Architect | Engineering | $103,090 | Greenville | $103,090 | 290 |
| 21 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $102,830 | Greenville | $102,830 | 1,170 |
| 22 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $102,340 | Greenville | $102,340 | 400 |
| 23 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $101,620 | Greenville | $101,620 | 690 |
| 24 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $101,570 | Greenville | $101,570 | 1,800 |
| 25 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $101,300 | Greenville | $101,300 | 2,670 |
| 26 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $101,020 | Greenville | $101,020 | 940 |
| 27 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $100,740 | Greenville | $100,740 | 1,650 |
| 28 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $99,830 | Greenville | $99,830 | 1,120 |
| 29 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $99,520 | Greenville | $99,520 | 130 |
| 30 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $97,090 | Greenville | $97,090 | 420 |
| 31 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $96,960 | Greenville | $96,960 | 210 |
| 32 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $96,130 | Greenville | $96,130 | 550 |
| 33 | Network Architect | Technology | $95,740 | Greenville | $95,740 | 650 |
| 34 | Data Scientist | Technology | $91,490 | Greenville | $91,490 | 660 |
| 35 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $89,040 | Greenville | $89,040 | 800 |
| 36 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $88,610 | Greenville | $88,610 | 330 |
| 37 | Database Architect | Technology | $86,800 | Greenville | $86,800 | 180 |
| 38 | Management Analyst | Management | $86,330 | Greenville | $86,330 | 1,700 |
| 39 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $85,290 | Greenville | $85,290 | 600 |
| 40 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $82,140 | Greenville | $82,140 | 290 |
| 41 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $81,400 | Greenville | $81,400 | 9,730 |
| 42 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $80,000 | Greenville | $80,000 | 60 |
| 43 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $78,290 | Greenville | $78,290 | 120 |
| 44 | Accountant | Finance | $76,870 | Greenville | $76,870 | 2,890 |
| 45 | Web Designer | Technology | $75,390 | Greenville | $75,390 | 110 |
| 46 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $75,360 | Greenville | $75,360 | 400 |
| 47 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $73,280 | Greenville | $73,280 | 250 |
| 48 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $71,910 | Greenville | $71,910 | 2,430 |
| 49 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $64,060 | Greenville | $64,060 | 2,700 |
| 50 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $63,310 | Greenville | $63,310 | 470 |
| 51 | Loan Officer | Finance | $61,990 | Greenville | $61,990 | 790 |
| 52 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $60,680 | Greenville | $60,680 | 4,390 |
| 53 | Electrician | Trades | $60,210 | Greenville | $60,210 | 1,670 |
| 54 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $58,500 | Greenville | $58,500 | 490 |
| 55 | Paralegal | Legal | $57,780 | Greenville | $57,780 | 1,600 |
| 56 | Statistician | Technology | $56,610 | Greenville | $56,610 | 40 |
| 57 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $53,070 | Greenville | $53,070 | 990 |
| 58 | Plumber | Trades | $50,890 | Greenville | $50,890 | 960 |
| 59 | Carpenter | Trades | $50,090 | Greenville | $50,090 | 1,340 |
| 60 | Writer/Author | Creative | $49,980 | Greenville | $49,980 | 130 |
| 61 | Welder | Trades | $49,130 | Greenville | $49,130 | 1,760 |
| 62 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $48,120 | Greenville | $48,120 | 2,310 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in South Carolina
South Carolina's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
$South Carolina tracks $1 BLS-published metros covering approximately $72,550 workers across the $62 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Family Medicine Physician top spot reflects Greenville pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in South Carolina typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within South Carolina, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in South Carolina is Family Medicine Physician with a state median salary of $231,790. The top-paying metro for this role is Greenville at $231,790 median. The role employs roughly 310 workers across South Carolina.
27 of the 62 BLS-tracked occupations in South Carolina have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 62 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in South Carolina is $98,325. The figure is employment-weighted across 1 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $109,250.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For South Carolina, this page aggregates Greenville. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in South Carolina.
Related Pages
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in South Carolina, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.