South Carolina Paycheck Calculator — New 1.99%/5.21% Rates · Free 2026 SC Take-Home Tool
Free South Carolina paycheck calculator 2026. Enter your pay and instantly see your take-home after SC state tax, federal & FICA.
SC state tax: 1.99% – 5.21%
No local tax
Min wage: $7.25/hr
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Your South Carolina Take-Home Pay (estimated)
$0.00
per paycheck
Gross Pay
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Total Taxes
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Effective Rate
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Full Paycheck Breakdown
Item
Amount
Gross Pay
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— Federal Income Tax
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— South Carolina State Tax
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— Social Security (6.2%)
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— Medicare (1.45%)
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— Pre-tax Deductions
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— Post-tax Deductions
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Net Take-Home Pay
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Disclaimer: Estimates only. SC's 2026 reform uses a new South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD) starting from federal AGI. Actual withholding may vary. Consult a tax professional.
Note: If your actual paycheck is lower than this estimate, check unaccounted overtime, deduction differences, or W-4 elections against our pay stub guide.
✓ Reviewed for AccuracyReviewed by Jordan Ellis — Senior Payroll & Tax Analyst · Last reviewed: June 2026
South Carolina overhauled its income tax for 2026 under H.4216 — a new two-bracket system (1.99%/5.21%) replacing the old six-bracket structure, with a new South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction and a path toward further automatic cuts. Enter your details for an instant SC take-home estimate.
Section 2
South Carolina Income Tax Rates 2026
South Carolina dramatically simplified its income tax for 2026 under H.4216, signed March 30, 2026. The state moved from six brackets (top rate 6.2%) to just two brackets: 1.99% up to $30,000, and 5.21% above. A major change: SC no longer conforms to the federal standard deduction — instead it uses a new South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD) starting from federal AGI.
South Carolina State Income Tax Brackets (2026)
Tax Rate
SC Taxable Income Range
Notes
1.99%
$0 – $30,000
New for 2026
5.21%
Over $30,000
Down from 6.2%, may fall further
South Carolina's new tax structure — SCIAD: Starting in 2026, South Carolina calculates state tax from federal adjusted gross income (AGI) rather than federal taxable income, and provides its own South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD) instead of conforming to the federal standard deduction: $15,000 single/MFS, $22,500 head of household, $30,000 married filing jointly. A single worker earning $60,000 with the $15,000 SCIAD has SC taxable income of $45,000 — taxed at 1.99% on the first $30,000 and 5.21% on the remaining $15,000. The practical result is an effective SC state tax rate well under 3% for most middle-income workers — far below the old system's effective rate.
Section 3
How South Carolina Paycheck Tax Is Calculated
South Carolina's unique federal deduction feature makes its paycheck calculation slightly more complex than other three-bracket states. Here is the exact process your employer follows to produce your pay stub.
1
Compute Gross Pay
Hourly: rate × hours. Salaried: annual ÷ periods. South Carolina follows federal FLSA overtime at 1.5× after 40 hrs/week. SC's minimum wage equals the federal floor of $7.25/hour — SC has no state minimum wage law. Major SC employers like BMW (Spartanburg), Boeing (North Charleston), Volvo (Berkeley County), Mercedes-Benz Vans (North Charleston), and Michelin (Greenville-Spartanburg) typically pay $18–$35+/hour for manufacturing positions.
2
Subtract Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k), health insurance, HSA, and FSA contributions reduce gross wages. Since SC's taxable income starts with federal adjusted gross income (after pre-tax deductions), these deductions reduce both federal AND South Carolina state taxable income. At SC's effective rate of approximately 5%–5.5%, each $1,000 in pre-tax deductions saves approximately $50–$55 in SC state tax plus federal and FICA savings.
3
Federal Income Tax Withholding
Using IRS Publication 15-T 2026 tables. SC's growing tech hub in the Research Triangle-adjacent Greenville-Spartanburg area, financial services in Columbia, and coastal tourism/hospitality in Charleston create a wide range of income levels. Federal standard deduction: $15,000 (single) / $30,000 (MFJ).
4
FICA — Social Security & Medicare
Social Security: 6.2% up to $184,500 wage base. Medicare: 1.45% on all wages. Additional 0.9% Medicare surtax over $200,000. No SC-specific FICA modifications.
5
South Carolina State Income Tax
Your employer uses the SC Withholding Tax Formula published by the SC Department of Revenue, updated for the 2026 reform under H.4216. SC withholding starts from federal AGI, subtracts the new South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD — $15,000 single/MFS, $22,500 HOH, $30,000 MFJ), then applies the new two-bracket system (1.99% / 5.21%). No city, county, or local income tax is withheld in South Carolina.
6
Post-Tax Deductions → Net Pay
Post-tax items subtracted last. SC's Payment of Wages Act (S.C. Code § 41-10-10) requires employers to pay wages at least once every two weeks (semi-monthly at minimum). Final wages on termination must be paid within 48 hours or by the next regular payday.
Section 4
Pre-Tax Deductions That Boost Your SC Take-Home Pay
South Carolina's federal income deduction means pre-tax benefits stack their savings across federal, SC state, and FICA — as covered in our breakdown of what comes out of your check — making them particularly effective here.
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Traditional 401(k) — Critical for SC Manufacturing & Tech Workers
South Carolina's major manufacturing employers — BMW, Boeing, Volvo, Michelin, Mercedes-Benz Vans — offer strong 401(k) plans. For a BMW or Boeing worker in the $60,000–$90,000 range, maxing the $23,500 limit (2026) saves approximately: SC state tax: ~$1,100–$1,300 | Federal tax (22% bracket): $5,170 | FICA: $1,797 — combined savings of $8,000+. BMW in Spartanburg is known for particularly strong retirement matching.
Health plan premiums through employer Section 125 plans reduce gross wages before all tax calculations. South Carolina's large healthcare sector — MUSC Health, Prisma Health, AnMed Health — and major manufacturers offer comprehensive employer plans. HSA limits for 2026: $4,300 (self-only) / $8,550 (family). South Carolina also has a relatively young retiree population that values HSA savings for future healthcare costs.
HSA 2026: $4,300 / $8,550Saves SC + fed + FICA
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South Carolina-Specific Tax Benefits
SC offers several notable credits: the SC Earned Income Tax Credit (125% of the federal EITC — one of the most generous state EITC multipliers in the South), the Two-Wage Earner Credit (for married couples where both spouses have earned income), a Retirement Income Deduction (taxpayers 65+ may deduct retirement income up to a maximum), and the SC Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children. SC also exempts Social Security income from state taxes — a significant benefit for those approaching retirement.
EITC: 125% of federal creditSocial Security: zero SC taxRetirement income deduction at 65+
South Carolina tax planning note: After the 2026 reform, SC's new 5.21% top rate is now more competitive with neighboring Georgia (5.39% flat, declining to 4.99% by 2029) and closer to North Carolina (4.5% flat). SC's 1.99% starter bracket on the first $30,000 means most middle-income workers pay a low effective rate. When comparing take-home pay across southeastern states, SC workers should calculate their actual effective rate using the new structure rather than relying on outdated pre-2026 comparisons.
Section 5
South Carolina Pay Frequency & Final Paycheck Rules 2026
Beyond how much is withheld, South Carolina law also sets rules for when you must be paid — both for regular paychecks and your final paycheck after leaving a job.
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SC Payment of Wages Act — Pay Frequency & Final Pay Timing
The South Carolina Payment of Wages Act (S.C. Code § 41-10-10 et seq.) requires employers to pay wages on regular pay periods at least twice monthly. Final wages on termination must be paid within 48 hours of termination or by the next regular payday — whichever is later, but no more than 30 days after termination. See our final paycheck rules guide for how this compares to other states.
How Much Is Taken Out of My Paycheck in South Carolina?
For a Greenville manufacturing worker (BMW, Michelin) at $65,000 (bi-weekly), expect ~$285 federal, ~$145 SC state, ~$191 FICA — leaving approximately $1,879/paycheck. SC PEBA state employees have a mandatory 9% pre-tax pension contribution that further reduces taxable income. Get your own precise figure with the take-home calculator.
Salary Calculator
South Carolina Salary Calculator — SC Net Pay Estimator
SC's new two-bracket structure (1.99%, 5.21%) means a $50,000 worker pays an effective state rate of well under 2%, thanks to the $15,000 SCIAD deduction and the low starter bracket. SC PEBA state employees (9% mandatory pre-tax pension) have significantly lower taxable income than gross wage, further reducing their effective rate.
Real Examples
South Carolina Paycheck Examples — Real Dollar Breakdowns
Bi-weekly take-home estimates for common SC worker profiles. Single filer, standard deduction via federal AGI method, no additional pre-tax deductions, 2026 rates.
Manufacturing Worker — BMW Spartanburg
$52,000/yr
Gross (bi-weekly)
$2,000.00
Federal income tax (~14% eff.)
−$195.00
SC state tax (~1.9% eff.)
−$37.00
Social Security (6.2%)
−$124.00
Medicare (1.45%)
−$29.00
Take-Home (est.)
~$1,615/paycheck
Registered Nurse — MUSC Health / Prisma
$78,000/yr
Gross (bi-weekly)
$3,000.00
Federal income tax (~18% eff.)
−$378.00
SC state tax (~3.0% eff.)
−$89.00
Social Security (6.2%)
−$186.00
Medicare (1.45%)
−$43.50
Take-Home (est.)
~$2,303/paycheck
Tech / Finance Professional — Columbia
$110,000/yr
Gross (bi-weekly)
$4,230.77
Federal income tax (~22% eff.)
−$652.00
SC state tax (~3.6% eff.)
−$153.00
Social Security (6.2%)
−$262.31
Medicare (1.45%)
−$61.35
Take-Home (est.)
~$3,102/paycheck
State Comparison
South Carolina vs. Southeast States — Take-Home on $70,000
SC's reformed rates and federal deduction feature make it competitive in the Southeast. Here is how a $70,000 salary (single filer) compares across the region.
State
Top Rate
Est. Annual State Tax
Annual Take-Home
vs. SC
🌴 South Carolina
5.21% (eff. ~2.3%)
~$1,400
~$51,700
Baseline
🎸 Tennessee
0% (no income tax)
$0
~$53,100
+$2,600/yr
🌲 Georgia
5.49% flat
~$3,000
~$50,100
−$400/yr
🌊 North Carolina
4.5% flat
~$2,400
~$50,700
+$200/yr
🏖️ Florida
0% (no income tax)
$0
~$53,100
+$2,600/yr
🌸 Virginia
5.75%
~$3,100
~$50,000
−$500/yr
SC's 2026 reform and SCIAD deduction mean the effective rate on most incomes is well under 3%, far below the old headline 6.2% rate. This makes SC one of the more competitive tax environments in the Southeast for most workers.
South Carolina's rate-cutting path is shared with Arkansas, Nebraska, and West Virginia — all four states have cut top rates meaningfully since 2022. For workers who want to see what zero income tax looks like rather than a falling rate, Tennessee — already in the table above — offers the clearest comparison.
Maximize Take-Home
Pre-Tax Deductions That Boost Your SC Take-Home Pay
401(k) for Manufacturing & Healthcare Workers
SC's manufacturing base — BMW, Boeing, Volvo, Michelin, Mercedes-Benz Vans — offers strong 401(k) matching programs. At SC's ~5% effective rate, the 2026 limit of $23,500 saves approximately $1,175 in SC state tax annually, plus federal savings. MUSC Health, Prisma Health, and Palmetto Health employees access 403(b) plans with similar pre-tax benefits. SC state employees contribute to SCRS (South Carolina Retirement System), a mandatory pre-tax pension deduction visible on every state employee stub.
SC's Federal Deduction Is Your Biggest Lever
South Carolina's unique tax structure — using federal taxable income as the starting point — means every pre-tax deduction you make reduces your SC state tax automatically. A worker who contributes $10,000 to a 401(k) reduces their SC taxable income by the same $10,000, saving roughly $500 in SC state tax in addition to the federal bracket savings. This compounding benefit makes SC one of the most pre-tax-deduction-friendly states in the Southeast.
SC Retirement Income Deduction — Planning Ahead
South Carolina provides one of the most generous retirement income deductions in the South — residents 65+ can deduct up to $15,000 of retirement income from SC taxable income, and those under 65 can deduct up to $3,000. While this applies at filing rather than paycheck withholding, it is an important long-term context for SC workers choosing between Roth and Traditional retirement contributions.
Pay Frequency
South Carolina Take-Home by Pay Frequency — $70,000 Salary
South Carolina requires employers to pay at least semi-monthly under SC Code §41-10-30. Here is what $70,000 looks like across pay schedules — single filer, federal AGI deduction method, 2026 rates.
Pay Schedule
Gross Per Period
Federal Tax
SC State Tax
FICA
Net Take-Home
Weekly (52)
$1,346.15
−$148.00
−$47.00
−$103.08
~$1,048
Bi-Weekly (26)
$2,692.31
−$296.00
−$94.00
−$206.17
~$2,096
Semi-Monthly (24)
$2,916.67
−$321.00
−$102.00
−$223.33
~$2,271
Monthly (12)
$5,833.33
−$642.00
−$204.00
−$446.67
~$4,541
SC Payroll Law
South Carolina Wage & Payroll Laws for 2026
SC Minimum Wage — Federal Floor Applies
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law — the federal $7.25/hr floor applies. This makes SC one of only a handful of states relying entirely on the federal minimum. In practice, SC's major employers — BMW (Spartanburg), Boeing (North Charleston), Volvo, Mercedes-Benz Vans, MUSC, and Prisma Health — pay well above this floor. Manufacturing wages in Upstate SC average $22–$35/hr. The $7.25 floor primarily affects tipped workers in hospitality, where the federal tipped minimum of $2.13/hr applies with a tip makeup guarantee.
SC Payment of Wages Act — Final Pay Requirements
The South Carolina Payment of Wages Act requires employers to pay all earned wages by the next regular payday after separation — with no same-day requirement for involuntary terminations. SC allows workers to recover unpaid wages plus treble damages (3× the amount owed) through the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or civil court. The treble damages provision is one of the strongest wage recovery mechanisms in the Southeast, creating a significant deterrent against employer wage theft.
SC's Federal Deduction Feature — Unique Tax Structure
South Carolina's income tax is calculated using federal taxable income as the starting point — meaning every federal deduction and pre-tax benefit you claim automatically reduces your SC taxable income. No adjustment or separate SC calculation is needed for 401(k), health insurance, HSA, or FSA deductions. This automatic conformity makes SC paycheck math simpler than states like New Jersey or California that decouple from federal treatment and require separate state calculations.
SC Tax Facts
Key South Carolina Income Tax Facts for 2026
SC Rate Reduction Schedule — What's Coming
South Carolina replaced its gradual rate-reduction path with a wholesale restructuring in 2026. The top rate of 7% had been cut to 6.2% by 2025 through annual 0.1-point reductions; H.4216 (signed March 30, 2026) replaced that entire system with just two brackets — 1.99% up to $30,000 and 5.21% above — plus automatic future cuts toward an eventual 1.99% flat rate if state revenue grows by at least 5% in a year. For a worker earning $80,000, the new structure saves well over $1,000/year compared to the old 6.2% system.
SC Manufacturing — Why Upstate Workers Often Have Stronger Take-Home
BMW's Spartanburg plant, Volvo in Berkeley County, Mercedes-Benz Vans in North Charleston, and Michelin's multiple SC facilities offer wages of $22–$40/hr plus profit-sharing, 401(k) matching of 5–8%, and comprehensive health benefits. The combination of SC's relatively moderate effective tax rate (4.5%–5.2% for most incomes), no local income taxes, and strong pre-tax benefits packages at these employers means manufacturing workers in the SC Upstate often achieve higher real take-home pay than comparable workers in higher-wage but higher-tax northeastern states.
No SC Local Income Tax — Statewide Simplicity
South Carolina has zero local or municipal income taxes anywhere in the state. Workers in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or any SC city pay only the statewide rate. This contrasts sharply with neighboring North Carolina (where some proposals for local taxes have surfaced), and dramatically with states like Ohio and Kentucky where city income taxes of 1%–2.5% significantly reduce take-home for urban workers. Every SC employer runs the same withholding calculation regardless of city or county.
Section 6
South Carolina Paycheck Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions
Top questions about South Carolina take-home pay, state income tax, and worker rights. Updated for 2026.
South Carolina completely restructured its income tax for 2026 under H.4216: just two brackets, 1.99% on income up to $30,000, and 5.21% above. The key change: SC now starts from federal AGI and applies its own South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD) — $15,000 single, $22,500 head of household, $30,000 married filing jointly — instead of conforming to the federal standard deduction. A worker earning $60,000 with the $15,000 SCIAD has SC taxable income of $45,000, taxed mostly at 1.99%. The effective SC rate for most middle-income workers is now well under 3%. The law also sets automatic future cuts toward an eventual 1.99% flat rate.
No. Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, and all other South Carolina cities and counties have no local income taxes on wages. SC law does not permit municipalities to levy income taxes on employee earnings. Your only South Carolina income tax obligation is to the SC Department of Revenue at the state level. This makes SC paycheck calculations simpler than neighboring North Carolina (where some municipalities have additional taxes) and significantly simpler than states like Ohio or Pennsylvania where many localities levy their own income taxes.
Example: A single SC worker earning $55,000/year bi-weekly: Gross per paycheck: $2,115.38 | Federal tax: ~$218 | SC state tax: ~$92 | Social Security: ~$131 | Medicare: ~$31 | Total deductions: ~$472 | Take-home: approximately $1,643 per bi-weekly paycheck (~$42,718/year). Use our calculator for your exact numbers, especially if you have pre-tax 401(k) or health insurance contributions.
While SC's statutory minimum wage is the federal floor of $7.25/hour, BMW Manufacturing, Boeing South Carolina, Volvo Cars, and other major SC employers pay significantly above this. BMW in Spartanburg is known as one of the better-paying manufacturers in the state — production worker wages typically range from $18–$30+/hour, with experienced workers and skilled tradespeople earning more. Boeing's North Charleston facility pays comparable rates. These employers also offer robust benefits packages including 401(k) matching, health insurance, and profit sharing that add substantial value beyond base wages.
South Carolina's Payment of Wages Act (S.C. Code § 41-10-50) requires prompt payment of wages owed, including overtime. "Willful" nonpayment generally means the employer knew wages were owed and intentionally refused to pay — not just a payroll error. If your employer has systematically underpaid you, denied overtime you're entitled to, or withheld your final paycheck without cause, file a complaint with the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Comparing SC's new 1.99%/5.21% structure to neighbors: North Carolina uses a flat 4.5% rate — SC is now generally more competitive for lower and middle incomes after the 2026 reform. Georgia uses a flat 5.39% rate, declining toward 4.99% by 2029 — SC's low starter bracket now beats Georgia at most income levels. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages — still more favorable for high earners. Virginia (2%–5.75%) — SC is now more competitive at most income levels. For workers choosing between SC and neighboring states, the 2026 reform meaningfully improves SC's competitive position.
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Worked Example
🌴 South Carolina: Real Paycheck Breakdown 2026
BMW, Boeing, Mercedes presence · No local income taxes · 3× FLSA damages available · Single filer · Bi-weekly pay (26 paychecks/year)
Take-Home (Bi-weekly)
$1,691
Gross (bi-weekly)
$2,230.77
— Federal Income Tax
-$260
— South Carolina State Tax
-$109
— Social Security + Medicare
-$171
Net Take-Home Pay
$1,691
Key insight: South Carolina's major manufacturers (BMW in Greer, Boeing in North Charleston) typically pay above-average wages. Workers at these facilities have seen strong annual compensation growth alongside SC's ongoing income tax rate reductions.
Need a different salary or filing status? Use the South Carolina paycheck calculator above.
How South Carolina Compares
SC replaced its old rate-reduction glide path with a full restructuring for 2026 (H.4216) — just two brackets, 1.99% up to $30,000 and 5.21% above, with automatic future cuts tied to revenue growth. Neighboring state: North Carolina (4.5% flat) or Georgia (5.39% flat, declining to 4.99% by 2029).