Cost of living

Cost of living in South Carolina: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in South Carolina is about $1,131/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 300 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Family Physician$14,642/mo8%
Nurse Anesthetist$13,642/mo8%
Chief Executive$12,142/mo9%
Dentist$10,078/mo11%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$9,220/mo12%
Natural Sciences Manager$8,899/mo13%
IT Manager$8,751/mo13%
Pharmacist$8,745/mo13%
Veterinarian$8,356/mo14%
Financial Manager$8,143/mo14%
Optometrist$8,072/mo14%
Sales Manager$7,983/mo14%
Industrial Production Manager$7,846/mo14%
Computer Hardware Engineer$7,829/mo14%
Physician Assistant$7,456/mo15%
Purchasing Manager$7,352/mo15%
Nurse Practitioner$7,313/mo15%
Human Resources Manager$7,228/mo16%
Software Developer$7,223/mo16%
Medical Scientist$7,170/mo16%
Marketing Manager$6,874/mo16%
Network Architect$6,828/mo17%
Healthcare Manager$6,769/mo17%
Information Security Analyst$6,722/mo17%
Computer Programmer$6,651/mo17%
Construction Manager$6,540/mo17%
Administrative Services Manager$6,447/mo18%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$6,434/mo18%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$6,414/mo18%
Lawyer$6,347/mo18%
Physical Therapist$6,323/mo18%
Facilities Manager$6,270/mo18%
Electrical Engineer$6,248/mo18%
Mechanical Engineer$6,232/mo18%
Database Administrator$6,219/mo18%
Data Scientist$6,195/mo18%
Actuary$6,061/mo19%
Systems Analyst$6,044/mo19%
Industrial Engineer$6,011/mo19%
Occupational Therapist$5,955/mo19%
Operations Manager$5,870/mo19%
Web Developer$5,749/mo20%
Financial Analyst$5,710/mo20%
Network Administrator$5,704/mo20%
Project Management Specialist$5,682/mo20%
Civil Engineer$5,622/mo20%
Public Relations Manager$5,613/mo20%
Speech Pathologist$5,598/mo20%
Management Consultant$5,553/mo20%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$5,477/mo21%
Architect$5,323/mo21%
Operations Research Analyst$5,218/mo22%
Financial Examiner$5,150/mo22%
Sonographer$5,117/mo22%
Registered Nurse$5,095/mo22%
Dental Hygienist$5,081/mo22%
Financial Advisor$5,064/mo22%
Chemist$4,958/mo23%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$4,950/mo23%
Claims Adjuster$4,944/mo23%
Police and Detective$4,922/mo23%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$4,917/mo23%
Logistician$4,902/mo23%
Credit Analyst$4,870/mo23%
Respiratory Therapist$4,713/mo24%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$4,683/mo24%
Production and Operating Worker$4,571/mo25%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$4,555/mo25%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$4,548/mo25%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$4,544/mo25%
Compliance Officer$4,477/mo25%
Social and Community Service Manager$4,467/mo25%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$4,428/mo26%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$4,427/mo26%
Instructional Coordinator$4,344/mo26%
Accountant$4,341/mo26%
Insurance Underwriter$4,298/mo26%
Chiropractor$4,295/mo26%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,231/mo27%
Physical Therapist Assistant$4,226/mo27%
Dietitian$4,181/mo27%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,142/mo27%
Construction Supervisor$4,118/mo27%
Food Service Manager$4,117/mo27%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,092/mo28%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$4,082/mo28%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,080/mo28%
Radiologic Technologist$4,055/mo28%
Cost Estimator$4,049/mo28%
Librarian$4,046/mo28%
HR Specialist$4,042/mo28%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,014/mo28%
Postal Service Clerk$4,005/mo28%
Loan Officer$4,003/mo28%
Sales Representative$3,999/mo28%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$3,984/mo28%
Training and Development Specialist$3,982/mo28%
High School Teacher$3,975/mo28%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$3,953/mo29%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$3,952/mo29%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$3,946/mo29%
Healthcare Social Worker$3,915/mo29%
Market Research Analyst$3,915/mo29%
Special Ed Teacher$3,902/mo29%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$3,887/mo29%
Elementary School Teacher$3,879/mo29%
Psychologist$3,873/mo29%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$3,855/mo29%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$3,849/mo29%
Property Manager$3,832/mo30%
Medical Equipment Repairer$3,814/mo30%
Surgical Technologist$3,806/mo30%
Construction and Building Inspector$3,793/mo30%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$3,779/mo30%
Public Relations Specialist$3,778/mo30%
Fundraiser$3,772/mo30%
Editor$3,742/mo30%
Producers and Director$3,730/mo30%
Licensed Practical Nurse$3,686/mo31%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$3,597/mo31%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,532/mo32%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,528/mo32%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$3,446/mo33%
Real Estate Agent$3,417/mo33%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$3,415/mo33%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,415/mo33%
Chef$3,413/mo33%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,407/mo33%
School Counselor$3,401/mo33%
Electrician$3,377/mo33%
Advertising Sales Agent$3,347/mo34%
Clergy$3,336/mo34%
Medical Records Specialist$3,335/mo34%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$3,294/mo34%
Plumber$3,292/mo34%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,277/mo35%
Police Officer$3,275/mo35%
IT Support Specialist$3,273/mo35%
Labor Relations Specialist$3,260/mo35%
Truck Driver$3,258/mo35%
HVAC Technician$3,245/mo35%
Paramedic$3,237/mo35%
Diesel Mechanic$3,222/mo35%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$3,216/mo35%
Machinist$3,205/mo35%
Sheet Metal Worker$3,199/mo35%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,177/mo36%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,149/mo36%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$3,134/mo36%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,125/mo36%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$3,123/mo36%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,106/mo36%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,104/mo36%
Graphic Designer$3,103/mo36%
Carpenter$3,101/mo36%
Opticians, Dispensing$3,101/mo36%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,100/mo36%
Insurance Agent$3,099/mo36%
Massage Therapist$3,097/mo37%
Audio and Video Technician$3,093/mo37%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,093/mo37%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,086/mo37%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,076/mo37%
Interior Designer$3,052/mo37%
Welder$3,049/mo37%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$3,037/mo37%
Dental Assistant$3,022/mo37%
Equipment Operator$3,015/mo38%
Sports Coach$3,011/mo38%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$2,989/mo38%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$2,986/mo38%
Biological Technician$2,978/mo38%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$2,966/mo38%
Retail Supervisor$2,966/mo38%
Firefighter$2,960/mo38%
Journalist$2,956/mo38%
Writer$2,934/mo39%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$2,904/mo39%
Social Worker$2,885/mo39%
Maintenance Worker$2,884/mo39%
Auto Mechanic$2,874/mo39%
Bookkeeper$2,869/mo39%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$2,841/mo40%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$2,822/mo40%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$2,818/mo40%
Correctional Officer$2,798/mo40%
Personal Service Worker$2,785/mo41%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,744/mo41%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$2,739/mo41%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,703/mo42%
Roofer$2,693/mo42%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,688/mo42%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$2,686/mo42%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,683/mo42%
Painter$2,682/mo42%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$2,627/mo43%
Skincare Specialist$2,598/mo44%
Security Worker$2,596/mo44%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,585/mo44%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,585/mo44%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$2,560/mo44%
Telemarketer$2,559/mo44%
Bill and Account Collector$2,553/mo44%
Admin Assistant$2,549/mo44%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$2,546/mo44%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,515/mo45%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,499/mo45%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$2,490/mo45%
Order Clerk$2,487/mo45%
Residential Advisor$2,485/mo46%
Construction Laborer$2,482/mo46%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,475/mo46%
Pharmacy Technician$2,467/mo46%
Food Service Supervisor$2,456/mo46%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$2,454/mo46%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,448/mo46%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,445/mo46%
Pest Control Worker$2,439/mo46%
Phlebotomist$2,438/mo46%
EMT$2,433/mo46%
Medical Assistant$2,432/mo47%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$2,432/mo47%
Delivery Driver$2,429/mo47%
Printing Press Operator$2,425/mo47%
Fitness Trainer$2,423/mo47%
Teller$2,421/mo47%
Highway Maintenance Worker$2,413/mo47%
Psychiatric Technician$2,388/mo47%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,381/mo48%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$2,369/mo48%
Warehouse Worker$2,359/mo48%
Customer Service Rep$2,354/mo48%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,342/mo48%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,338/mo48%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,337/mo48%
Bus Drivers, School$2,334/mo48%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,332/mo48%
Food Batchmaker$2,315/mo49%
Data Entry Keyer$2,303/mo49%
Tax Preparer$2,296/mo49%
File Clerk$2,289/mo49%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,287/mo49%
Landscaper$2,283/mo50%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$2,281/mo50%
Nursing Assistant$2,281/mo50%
Office Clerk$2,242/mo50%
Parts Salesperson$2,233/mo51%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,207/mo51%
Preschool Teacher$2,202/mo51%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,150/mo53%
Couriers and Messenger$2,137/mo53%
Baker$2,132/mo53%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,101/mo54%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,091/mo54%
Library Technician$2,089/mo54%
Receptionist$2,085/mo54%
Recreation Worker$2,081/mo54%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,077/mo54%
Restaurant Cook$2,072/mo55%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,062/mo55%
Security Guard$2,058/mo55%
Library Assistants, Clerical$2,039/mo55%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,035/mo56%
Tutor$2,012/mo56%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$2,008/mo56%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,004/mo56%
Photographer$1,983/mo57%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$1,958/mo58%
Cooks, Short Order$1,938/mo58%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$1,928/mo59%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$1,921/mo59%
Parking Attendant$1,916/mo59%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$1,898/mo60%
Hairdresser$1,879/mo60%
Retail Salesperson$1,879/mo60%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$1,877/mo60%
Animal Caretaker$1,875/mo60%
Janitor$1,873/mo60%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$1,863/mo61%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,860/mo61%
Food Preparation Worker$1,841/mo61%
Home Health Aide$1,841/mo61%
Driver/Sales Worker$1,827/mo62%
School Bus Monitor$1,818/mo62%
Dishwasher$1,814/mo62%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$1,805/mo63%
Childcare Worker$1,794/mo63%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$1,788/mo63%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$1,762/mo64%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,728/mo65%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,719/mo66%
Cashier$1,716/mo66%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,676/mo67%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,598/mo71%
Teaching Assistant$1,558/mo73%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,553/mo73%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,501/mo75%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,500/mo75%
Server$1,214/mo93%
Bartender$1,210/mo93%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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