Social Worker Salary in South Carolina
Based on 720+ workers in South Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$39,930
$19.20/hr
vs National Average
$57,161
-30.1% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$30K – $64K
720 employed in South Carolina
Salary Distribution — Social Worker in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,250 |
| 25th percentile | $34,770 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $39,930 |
| 75th percentile | $49,720 |
| 90th percentile | $63,970 |
Top-Paying Industries for Social Worker (U.S.)
Which industries pay Social Workers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Social Workers in South Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $94,250 | 550 |
| Educational Services | $72,880 | 2K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $68,600 | 20K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $65,990 | 2K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $59,270 | 104K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Social Worker in South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $46,590 |
| 2023 | $48,220 |
| 2024 | $41,750 |
| 2025 | $39,930 |
| 2026 (projected) | $39,930 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $46,590 | $50,498 |
| 2023 | $48,220 | $53,608 |
| 2024 | $41,750 | $56,931 |
| 2025 | $39,930 | $57,161 |
| 2026 (projected) | $39,930 | $57,161 |
Social Worker Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $34,770 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $39,930 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $49,720 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $63,970 |
Social Worker Salary in Other States
Related Social Worker Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Social Worker ($39,930 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Social Worker | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Medicine Physician in SC | $359,500 | +800.3% | $172.84/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in SC | $341,960 | +756.4% | $164.40/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in SC | $302,340 | +657.2% | $145.36/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in SC | $265,480 | +564.9% | $127.63/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in SC | $239,200 | +499.0% | $115.00/hr |
| Anesthesiologist in SC | $238,970 | +498.5% | $114.89/hr |
| Psychiatrist in SC | $237,250 | +494.2% | $114.06/hr |
| Pediatrician in SC | $217,120 | +443.8% | $104.38/hr |
| Radiologist in SC | $174,480 | +337.0% | $83.88/hr |
| Podiatrist in SC | $167,110 | +318.5% | $80.34/hr |
| Dentist in SC | $158,640 | +297.3% | $76.27/hr |
| Optometrist in SC | $145,950 | +265.5% | $70.17/hr |