Employer Cost Calculator for South Carolina

Employers in South Carolina must withhold and remit the graduated state income tax, plus handle their share of FICA, FUTA, and South Carolina's state unemployment insurance. The total cost to employ someone at a $75,000 salary in South Carolina is typically 10-15% above the gross salary, covering the employer's payroll tax share, SUI, workers' comp, and benefits. This calculator breaks down the full employer cost with South Carolina's specific tax rates.

South Carolina uses a graduated income tax with brackets ranging from 0-6.4%. Lower income is taxed at lower rates, with the 6.4% top rate applying only to income in the highest bracket. This progressive structure means your effective state tax rate is always lower than the top marginal rate. South Carolina does not have local income taxes, so the state graduated rate is the total state-level income tax burden.

The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in South Carolina, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and South Carolina's graduated (0-6.4%) state tax.

See how South Carolina compares to other South states. Each link takes you to the employer cost calculator landing page for that state.

For a comprehensive breakdown of South Carolina’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full South Carolina take-home pay page.