How South Carolina taxes your paycheck
South Carolina uses 2 graduated brackets for single filers, from 1.99% up to a top rate of 5.21% on income above $30,000. The model applies a standard deduction of $16,100 for single filers ($32,200 for married filing jointly).
South Carolina taxes wages at a low rate on the first slice of income and a higher rate on the rest, with a state standard deduction tied to the federal amount. The state has been reducing its top rate over several years.
Take-home pay in South Carolina at common salaries
The table shows a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, paid biweekly, using 2026 federal rules and the South Carolina rules described above.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | South Carolina tax | Annual take-home | Per biweekly check | Share kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $277 | $26,008 | $1,000.32 | 86.7% |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $800 | $41,555 | $1,598.26 | 83.1% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,103 | $59,490 | $2,288.07 | 79.3% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $3,405 | $75,775 | $2,914.42 | 75.8% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $6,010 | $107,781 | $4,145.42 | 71.9% |
Married filing jointly
| Household wages | Federal tax | FICA | South Carolina tax | Annual take-home | Per biweekly check | Share kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $2,840 | $4,590 | $553 | $52,017 | $2,000.65 | 86.7% |
| $100,000 | $7,640 | $7,650 | $2,566 | $82,144 | $3,159.37 | 82.1% |
| $150,000 | $15,340 | $11,475 | $5,171 | $118,014 | $4,538.99 | 78.7% |
| $200,000 | $26,340 | $14,339 | $7,776 | $151,545 | $5,828.64 | 75.8% |
Joint filers use a standard deduction of $32,200 and wider federal brackets. For one-earner households, the numbers above assume all wages belong to one spouse; if both spouses work, each pays Social Security and Medicare on their own wages.
How South Carolina ranks for take-home pay
At a $75,000 salary and single filing status, South Carolina ranks #14 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for annual take-home pay at $59,490. The highest in this ranking is Alaska at $61,593. South Carolina’s state income tax and payroll programs take about $2,103 of that salary, compared with $0 in a state with no wage tax. You can rank all states for any salary with the state comparison tool.
Compare South Carolina with other states
- South Carolina vs. Arizona
- South Carolina vs. Louisiana
- South Carolina vs. Indiana
- South Carolina vs. Texas
Sales tax in South Carolina
South Carolina’s state sales tax rate is 6.00%. Local governments add an average of 1.49%, for a combined average of about 7.49% (Tax Foundation, midyear 2026). The highest local rate in the state is 3.00%. Income tax and sales tax together set how far your money goes, so compare both when you consider a move.
What this estimate leaves out
Your actual paycheck can differ because of health insurance premiums, local taxes, employer-specific deductions and your Form W-4. See the paycheck withholding guide for how employers calculate withholding, and our methodology page for the list of simplifications.