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South Carolina Paycheck Guide

South Carolina uses progressive tax brackets. Higher portions of pay are taxed at higher rates.

PI
Reviewed by PayslipIQ Editorial Team, in-house payroll editor
Last reviewed May 2026 · Editorial standards

In short

A South Carolina paycheck has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%), plus progressive South Carolina state income tax. On a $65,000 single-filer salary, estimated South Carolina take-home is about $50,833 a year, or $1,955 per biweekly paycheck.

PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.

South Carolina: the local picture

South Carolina runs a graduated state income tax with a top rate of 6.2%, kicking in at relatively low income. No local income tax. Minimum wage is the federal $7.25/hr.

South Carolina Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay for South Carolina.

South Carolina State Tax

South Carolina tax structure and rates.

South Carolina Overtime

Federal FLSA applies.

South Carolina Pay Stub Laws

Employer pay stub requirements in South Carolina.

South Carolina take-home pay by salary (2026)

See estimated South Carolina take-home for common salaries. Each page has a full federal, FICA, and South Carolina breakdown with per-paycheck figures.

$40,000 after tax$50,000 after tax$60,000 after tax$75,000 after tax$90,000 after tax$100,000 after tax$125,000 after tax$150,000 after tax
All South Carolina salariesSouth Carolina gross-to-net calculator

How a South Carolina paycheck is built

Every South Carolina worker pays federal income tax, calculated on the W-4 you submitted to your employer using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. Federal income tax is followed by FICA: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies once year-to-date wages cross $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.

South Carolina adds progressive state income tax. The bracket you fall into depends on filing status and taxable income. Verify current brackets with the SC Department of Revenue.

What changed recently in South Carolina

  • Top rate cut from 6.5% to 6.2% in 2024.
  • Standard deduction adjusted.
  • No state PFL or SDI.

South Carolina payroll quirks workers should know

  • SC W-4 form for state withholding.
  • No local payroll tax.

Example breakdown

A hypothetical South Carolina worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.

Gross (bi-weekly)$2,500.00
Federal income tax-$216.15
Social Security (6.2%)-$155.00
Medicare (1.45%)-$36.25
South Carolina state tax-$137.50
Estimated take-home$1,955.10

Run your own numbers in the South Carolina paycheck calculator.

Authoritative sources

Next steps

Want to go further?

The calculators and guides here are free. If you want a closer look at one specific stub, these optional next steps go deeper.

Premium pay stub report
A detailed one-off PDF that walks through every line on one stub, with a verify-with-payroll checklist.
Monthly paycheck monitor
Track each stub against the last one and get a plain-English alert when something shifts.
Talk to a CPA or EA
For anything that affects your taxes, find a credentialed professional through the IRS and state directories.

How PayslipIQ stays free: the tools and guides are free to use. PayslipIQ offers optional paid reports and monitoring, and links to independent CPA and tax-preparer directories. It is not affiliated with the IRS, the SSA, any employer, or any payroll provider, and does not sell user data. Educational only, not tax, legal, or financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does South Carolina have state income tax?
Yes. South Carolina uses progressive brackets. Verify with the SC Department of Revenue.
Are there local income taxes in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina does not have local income taxes on wages.
Does South Carolina have State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave premiums?
No. South Carolina does not have state-mandated SDI or PFL employee premiums.
Does South Carolina have daily-overtime rules?
No. South Carolina follows federal FLSA: 1.5x for hours above 40 in a workweek.
What is FICA on a South Carolina paycheck?
FICA is federal: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies above $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly. FICA applies in every state.
Where do I verify South Carolina state tax withholding?
The SC Department of Revenue (https://dor.sc.gov/) is the authoritative source. For your specific paycheck, contact your employer's payroll team or a CPA.
Why is my South Carolina tax higher than my income suggests?
South Carolina top bracket starts at relatively low income. Most workers earning over $20,000 are in the top 6.2% bracket on at least part of their wages.