South Carolina Paycheck Calculator

Utilize Federal Pension Advisors' South Carolina paycheck calculator to determine your take-home pay per paycheck for both salaried and hourly positions, accounting for federal, state, and local taxes.

State

Earnings

Gross Pay Method

Gross Pay

Federal Taxes

Federal Filing Status

Dependents Amount

Other Income

Deductions

Additional Federal Withholding

Note: The results provided by this calculator are estimates and should not be considered as financial advice. For precise calculations and personalized advice, please consult with a financial professional.

South Carolina Taxes: An Overview

South Carolina has a progressive income tax system, meaning that the tax rates increase as your income goes up. The lowest rate is 0%, and the highest rate is 6%.

Here are some quick facts about paychecks in South Carolina:

South Carolina's income tax rates vary from 6%
The median household income in the state is $63,623, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau
No cities in South Carolina impose local income taxes

Understanding Your South Carolina Paycheck

Your paychecks might seem lower than expected because your employer takes out money for taxes. No matter where you work, you'll need to pay both FICA and federal income taxes.

If you're self-employed or a contract worker, you might have to pay the full FICA taxes yourself. But, you could be eligible to deduct the employer’s portion of FICA taxes on your tax return. To make the most of your earnings and reduce your tax bill, consulting a financial advisor can be beneficial.

Whenever you start a new job or go through a major life change like marriage or having a baby, you'll need to fill out a new Form W-4. Your employer uses this form to figure out how much money to withhold from your paycheck. The updated W-4 form no longer uses allowances. Instead, it asks for specific dollar amounts for things like income tax credits, non-wage income, and deductions. It also includes a five-step process for reporting extra income or jobs.

If you have employer-sponsored health or life insurance, your premiums are deducted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated. This means you pay these premiums with pre-tax dollars. Similarly, contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s and accounts for medical expenses, such as health savings accounts (HSAs), are also made with pre-tax money, helping to lower your taxable income while saving for retirement.

South Carolina Median Household Income

Year	Median Household Income
2022	$81,370
2021	$74,982
2020	$80,175
2019	$70,151
2018	$62,266
2017	$65,401
2016	$61,528
2015	$55,701
2014	$58,633
2013	$56,323
2012	$56,065
2022	$63,623
2021	$62,542
2020	$60,341
2019	$62,028
2018	$57,444
2017	$54,537
2016	$54,336
2015	$46,360
2014	$44,929
2013	$43,563
2012	$44,401

In South Carolina, taxpayers are placed into one of six income tax brackets, with higher tax rates for higher incomes. Each year, the state adjusts these brackets to keep up with inflation.

If your taxable income is $3,330 or less, you won't owe any state income tax because the lowest rate is 0%. If you earn $16,680 or more, you'll be taxed at the highest rate of 6.5%. These tax brackets apply to all filers, no matter their filing status.

Using paycheck calculators, such as the Paycheck Calculator South Carolina or the Rhode Island Paycheck Calculator, can help you understand how often you get paid and how taxes will impact your take-home pay.

How You Can Affect Your South Carolina Paycheck

To impact your take-home pay in South Carolina, update your W-4 form when you start a new job or if you need to make changes. This form helps determine how much tax is withheld from your paycheck.

If you expect a large tax bill, consider increasing your contributions to pre-tax accounts like a 401(k) or 403(b). Money put into these accounts is deducted before taxes, which lowers your taxable income and might reduce your tax bill.

You can also use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) if your employer offers them. Contributions to these accounts are pre-tax and can be used for certain medical expenses, such as copays or prescriptions. Note that with an FSA, only $500 rolls over to the next year in 2023, increasing to $610 in 2024 and $650 in 2025. Any amount over these limits that isn't used by the end of the year will be forfeited.

Most Paycheck Friendly Places in South Carolina

Rank	County, State	Semi-Monthly Paycheck	Purchasing Power	Unemployment Rate	Income Growth	Most Paycheck Friendly Index
1	Lancaster County, SC	$2,330	2.11	3.6%	7.55%	63.45
2	Greenville County, SC	$2,330	1.91	2.8%	4.89%	60.62
3	York County, SC	$2,330	1.92	3.1%	5.04%	60.29
4	Beaufort County, SC	$2,330	1.91	3.1%	4.61%	59.75
5	Anderson County, SC	$2,330	1.78	3.0%	5.47%	59.62
6	Charleston County, SC	$2,330	1.75	2.8%	5.21%	59.47
7	Berkeley County, SC	$2,330	1.75	3.1%	5.37%	59.07
8	Lexington County, SC	$2,330	1.87	2.7%	3.44%	59.04
9	Oconee County, SC	$2,330	1.74	3.1%	4.79%	58.41
10	Spartanburg County, SC	$2,330	1.72	3.1%	4.97%	58.39
South Carolina		$2,330	1.50	3.8%	4.20%

Why Use a South Carolina Paycheck Calculator?

Understanding your take-home pay is essential for effective budgeting and financial planning. A South Carolina paycheck calculator simplifies this process by accurately determining your net pay. It takes into account various deductions such as federal taxes, state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax deductions like health insurance or retirement contributions. Using a calculator tailored to South Carolina’s tax regulations ensures that all relevant state-specific factors are included in your calculations.

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