The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25/hour as of 2026. See the tipped wage, scheduled increases, annual income at minimum wage, and how it compares to the federal poverty level.
| Category | Rate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | $2.13/hour |
| Federal Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (FLSA) |
| Scheduled Increases | No scheduled increases |
| Full-Time Annual (2,080 hrs) | $15,080/year |
| Part-Time Annual (30 hrs/wk) | $11,310/year |
| As % of Federal Poverty Level (1 person) | 96% of FPL ($15,650) |
| Source | U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division; South Carolina Dept. of Labor |
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage.
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law. Workers are covered by the federal minimum of $7.25/hour. The tipped minimum is $2.13/hour under federal rules. South Carolina does not allow local governments to set minimum wages. There are no current legislative efforts to establish a state minimum wage.
The federal poverty guideline for a single person in 2026 is $15,650/year. At South Carolina's minimum wage of $7.25/hour, a full-time worker earns $15,080/year — 96% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the poverty guideline is $32,150/year; full-time minimum wage earnings represent 47% of that threshold.
| Work Schedule | Gross Annual Income at $7.25/hr | vs. Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (40 hrs/wk) | $15,080/year | 96% of single FPL |
| Part-time (30 hrs/wk) | $11,310/year | 72% of single FPL |
| Part-time (20 hrs/wk) | $7,540/year | 48% of single FPL |
| Federal Poverty (1 person) | $15,650/year | 100% |
| Federal Poverty (family of 4) | $32,150/year | N/A |
The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25/hour as of 2026. A full-time worker at minimum wage earns $15,080/year gross before taxes. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law. Workers are covered by the federal minimum of $7.25/hour. The tipped minimum is $2.13/hour under federal rules. South Carolina does not allow local governments to set minimum wages. There are no current legislative efforts to establish a state minimum wage.
The tipped minimum wage in South Carolina is $2.13/hour. Employers who pay the tipped minimum must ensure that tips received by the employee are sufficient to bring total compensation to at least $7.25/hour. If tips are insufficient, the employer must pay the difference (called a tip credit makeup).
Scheduled increases: No scheduled increases. Check the South Carolina Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for the most current information, as minimum wage schedules can change with new legislation or ballot measures.
At $7.25/hour, full-time earnings of $15,080/year represent 96% of the federal poverty level for a single person. MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage in most South Carolina counties ranges from $18 to $35/hour depending on family size and local housing costs. Minimum wage alone is generally insufficient to cover basic living expenses in most of South Carolina without government assistance or additional income.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It has not increased since July 24, 2009 — the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase in history. When state minimum wages exceed the federal minimum, the higher state rate applies to covered workers. In South Carolina, the applicable minimum wage is $7.25/hour.