Minimum wage in South Carolina in 2026
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour applies in 2026. No increase is scheduled. South Carolina follows the federal rate, which has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009.
Checked against official sources.
South Carolina minimum wage at a glance
- An hour
- $7.25
- A week, 40 hours
- $290.00
- A year, 2,080 hours
- $15,080
- Tipped cash wage
- $2.13before tips
In effect since . A year means 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, before taxes.
Tipped workers
Federal law applies: tipped workers can be paid $2.13 an hour in cash if tips bring them up to at least $7.25 an hour. If they do not, the employer must make up the difference.
South Carolina minimum wage by year
| Year | Rate on January 1 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $7.25 (federal) |
| 2023 | $7.25 (federal) |
| 2024 | $7.25 (federal) |
| 2025 | $7.25 (federal) |
| 2026 | $7.25 (federal) |
South Carolina has no minimum wage law of its own, so the federal $7.25 applies to most jobs.
No. South Carolina law does not let cities or counties require a minimum wage above the federal rate.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in South Carolina in 2026?
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour applies in 2026. No increase is scheduled. South Carolina follows the federal rate, which has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009.
How much is minimum wage a year in South Carolina?
At $7.25 an hour, a full-time worker on 40 hours a week earns $290.00 a week and $15,080 a year before taxes.
What is the minimum wage for tipped workers in South Carolina?
Federal law applies: tipped workers can be paid $2.13 an hour in cash if tips bring them up to at least $7.25 an hour. If they do not, the employer must make up the difference.
When does the minimum wage go up in South Carolina?
No increase is scheduled. South Carolina follows the federal rate, which has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009. South Carolina has no minimum wage law of its own, so the federal $7.25 applies to most jobs.
Can cities in South Carolina set a higher minimum wage?
No. South Carolina law does not let cities or counties require a minimum wage above the federal rate.
Minimum wage in other Southern states
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the official pages below. Checked .
- S.C. Code § 6-1-130, South Carolina Legislature
- State Minimum Wage Laws, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Minimum Wage, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Laws change. If your pay is below these rates, contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243.