Hourly Minimum Wage in South Carolina

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The state-wide minimum wage for South Carolina is $7.25 per hour as of January 01, 2023.

View all South Carolina minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for South Carolina and neighboring states in 2023

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South Carolina minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a lower minimum wage in South Carolina that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The South Carolina minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.

Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in South Carolina

The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023, including District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on January 01, 2018. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in South Carolina.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
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Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in South Carolina

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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In South Carolina, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in South Carolina.

What is the minimum wage in South Carolina in 2023?

South Carolina minimum wage in 2021: no state minimum level, Federal minimum wage US$7.25

South Carolina minimum wage in 2020: no state minimum level

South Carolina minimum wage in 2000: no state minimum level

South Carolina minimum wage in 1980: no state minimum level

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in South Carolina

There are policies being introduced to phase subminimum wage out completely and we see South Carolina being proactive with this practice so we can appropriately develop a strong plan.

09/18/2021

COLUMBIA, SC (WCSC) - Lawmakers are considering two bills that could raise minimum wage in South Carolina for the first time in more than a decade.

09/18/2021

South Carolina does not have minimum wage laws and, thus, does not address subminimum wage rates employers may pay to employees with disabilities.

09/14/2021

(WCSC) - The South Carolina American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations says the state must take action on raising the minimum wage.

08/23/2021

In addition to any South Carolina-specific minimum wage exemptions described above, the Federal Fair Labor Standards act defines special minimum wage rates applicable to certain types of workers.

08/10/2021

South Carolina does not have its own minimum wage or tip laws, so South Carolina employees are subject to the federal rules on these subjects.

08/06/2021

If you feel your employer is not paying you Federal minimum wage, and/or is not paying you for hours worked, you should seek the advice of a South Carolina employment attorney`.

08/03/2021

All South Carolina employees working over 40 hours in a work week are entitled an overtime wage of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly pay rate - therefore, the overtime minimum wage in SC is.

07/25/2021

With the current state of the economy, a large amount of the new jobs being created in South Carolina are entry-level, minimum wage positions.

07/07/2021

If you feel you have not been paid the federal minimum wage and/or paid for each hour worked, you need to contact a South Carolina employment attorney who will fight for your rights.

07/02/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023