South Carolina not only has some of the best cities to spend your retirement or start a new life but also stunning geographical landmarks with incredible history and rich cultural heritage. If you are looking to earn more money, you are a step closer to achieving your goal. This article contains a list of the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina to help you get started in a rewarding career.
This guide will be helpful to anyone looking to land the best jobs in South Carolina or seeking high-paying jobs without a college degree and will give you an insight into various positions you can start applying for.
South Carolina Economic Outlook
The economy of South Carolina, like every other state in the US, is still recovering from the pandemic. The state is experiencing high demand for goods from the increasing population, which has paved the way for rapid recovery in the manufacturing sector.
The logistics and construction industry have also fully recovered with the current influx of migrants into the state. South Carolina is anticipating a complete employment upturn this year. Currently, unemployment sits at 3.5 percent, well below the 6 percent average, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
Nonfarm employment has risen by 33,300 to 2,181,400, based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This has increased the net job gains in many sectors such as professional and business services, government, leisure and hospitality, educational and health services, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and utilities, finance, construction, natural resources, and mining.
The Highest-Paying Jobs in South Carolina
| Job Title | Average Salary South Carolina | Average Salary in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | $290,070 | $270,087 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $230,093 | $214,241 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $201,704 | $187,709 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,269 | $111,953 |
| Marketing Manager | $109,846 | $67,159 |
| Physical Scientist | $107,036 | $115,440 |
| Engineering Manager | $99,408 | $112,989 |
| Financial Manager | $93,387 | $86,022 |
| Operations Manager | $81,119 | $64,893 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $56,571 | $76,591 |
The Best Jobs in South Carolina: Explained
In South Carolina, there are many high-paying jobs that require only certifications, a college education, and the requisite skillset for the position. Below are some of the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina, the job description, and the average annual salary.
1. Psychiatrist
Becoming a psychiatrist involves diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders using psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and cognitive behavioral therapy. They also prescribe, monitor, and recommend medications for mental health patients.
A psychiatrist can work independently or in other environments like outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, emergency rooms, medical schools, courts, and prisons.
2. Family Medicine Physician
Family medicine physicians are also known as family practice doctors. They are responsible for providing overall care for patients of various ages suffering from a wide range of health conditions. They are the only physicians permitted to treat numerous health conditions. They have access to patients’ medical histories and can help track treatment plans, and prevent and manage patients’ health challenges over long periods.
They are usually the first contact for non-emergency situations and are responsible for counseling and educating patients on their health choices and scheduling and referring patients to specialists for treatments.
3. Nurse Anesthetist
A nurse anesthetist is an advanced nurse trained and certified to provide and administer anesthesia to patients during critical medical procedures that could cause a tremendous amount of pain. They ensure the overall safety of patients during procedures to enable physicians to carry out operations successfully without causing discomfort to patients.
Nurses in this field may be allowed to work independently or may require the presence of an anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia, depending on the applicable government laws of the state where they work. They can work in all healthcare-related centers such as hospitals, emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, surgical areas, the military, and psychiatric hospitals.
4. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide a wide range of healthcare services such as assessing patients’ needs, interpreting diagnostic tests, and diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses. They also prescribe medications and educate patients on healthy lifestyle choices. They focus on managing the overall health of a patient.
A nurse practitioner’s practice can be autonomous. It may also be limited to the supervision of a licensed physician, but this depends on the applicable government laws of the state where they work. They are open to working in any healthcare facility, from hospitals to outpatient clinics.
5. Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are in charge of optimizing marketing strategies for a business or company’s brand, product, or service to boost reputation and client opportunities. They also track and analyze marketing campaigns and trends to generate successful business leads. They work with teams to coordinate sales, finance, awareness, public relations, and product management.
A marketing manager also builds good relationships with consumers and potential customers to create engaging content that suits the audience. They help to identify suitable solutions to customers’ problems. Depending on the company or organization where they work, most marketing managers make reports to keep senior executives updated about the company’s progress.
The duties of a marketing manager contribute to the overall growth and profit of the business or company. The responsibilities of a marketing manager may vary by the type of business or company where they work. They can work in various industries ranging from fashion, entertainment, and healthcare to technical fields.
6. Physical Scientist
A physical scientist is a professional scientist that specializes in the science of non-living things. They include chemists, physicists, astronomers, and geologists. They are responsible for carrying out experiments, making observations, and conducting research to increase our knowledge about the world. They specialize in physical properties and energy and usually work as part of a science team.
A physical scientist mainly works in a laboratory. They can work for private laboratories or government agencies. They are also allowed to work as teachers in schools in the field of their choice.
7. Engineering Manager
An engineering manager coordinates and supervises technical and engineering projects. They offer solutions to engineering problems and are in charge of hiring and training entry-level engineers and managing employees. They lead research development, plan, oversee and propose budgets for projects.
An engineering manager can work in various industries, including construction sites, building sites, and manufacturing sites. They have the opportunity to work remotely or on-site, depending on the sector they belong to.
8. Financial Manager
A financial manager is in charge of managing the financial transactions of a company or organization. They monitor and interpret transactions and cash flow, create and plan budgets, provide guidance and support to the executive management team, analyze market trends and provide financial reports for chief executives.
A financial manager can work in many industries, including law firms, IT companies, banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and healthcare centers.
9. Operations Manager
An operations manager is responsible for managing and increasing efficiency in the day-to-day operational activities of a business or organization. They ensure that best practices are implemented for the smooth running of a company or organization.
They hire, train, and supervise staff and teams to follow programs. They also build long-term relationships with clients and ensure effective customer service. As an operations manager, you can work in a broad range of industries ranging from hospitals, restaurants, and even retail stores, ensuring that day-to-day activities are carried out successfully.
10. Industrial Production Manager
Also known as plant managers, they oversee and supervise the daily operations of an industrial manufacturing plant. They coordinate and control all production activities required during a production process. They are also responsible for hiring, training, and assessing workers. They ensure production efficiency and that production meets stipulated cost, quality, and quantity.
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An industrial production manager may have an office, but most of their duties are carried out on the production site. They are allowed to work in a range of manufacturing industries but mainly as full-time workers.
Highest-Paying Jobs in South Carolina Without a Degree
- Union Carpenters | 61,415. They are responsible for building, remodeling, and repairing structures using wood. They perform duties such as building frameworks, concrete forms, and laying hardwood floors.
- Foodservice Manager | $57,666. They supervise and oversee the daily operations of restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and other food service establishments to ensure optimum customer satisfaction and experience. They ensure that business runs smoothly and employees comply with healthy food standards.
- Audio and Video Technician | $50,683. They are responsible for setting up, maintaining, operating, and dismantling audio, video, lighting, and communications equipment required for events like concerts, meetings, conferences, podcasts, conventions, and presentations. You only require a high school diploma to land entry-level jobs in this field.
- Property Manager | $52,944. They are hired to oversee the operation and maintenance of a property. They handle all business-related tasks of renting a property. They determine rent prices, prepare and advertise the property, and screen, select, and negotiate rent prices with potential tenants.
- Machine Setters | $32,714. Machine setters are responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and adjusting industrial machines, ensuring they are in good condition and function perfectly before and during operations.
What Is the Cost of Living in South Carolina?
The average cost of living in South Carolina, according to Livingcost.org, is 11.5 percent lower than the US average, making it one of the less expensive states. Although this may vary according to location, the state boasts of the low cost of food and housing, which are estimated to be 15 percent and 5 percent, respectively. South Carolina is one of the top 10 states with some of the lowest income, sales, and property taxes.
South Carolina also offers plenty of renting options ranging from $920 to $2,360, depending on size and location. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average cost of living for a single person without kids is about $2,332 monthly and $4,748 for a family with two kids. Average transport costs $1,280 to $1,850 annually for both drivers and public transit.
Is South Carolina a Good Place to Work?
Yes, South Carolina is a good place to work. Aside from its affordable cost of living, the state offers jobs with excellent work-life balance, holidays, and weekends off. Although annual wages may be below average, the state has a great pension system, outstanding health insurance, benefits for full-time employees, overtime pay, and job security.
Highest-Paying Jobs in South Carolina FAQ
Currently, the most in-demand jobs in South Carolina include accounting, audit and finance, automotive, corrections, law enforcement, human services, and information, technology jobs. An excellent professional resume and potentially a four-year college degree can give you access to these roles, including government jobs.
The most common jobs in South Carolina are health services managers, human resources managers, logistics managers, sales managers, education administrators, distribution managers, management analysts, electrical engineers, and financial advisors. There are many career opportunities in a state like South Carolina.
Columbia is the city with the most jobs in South Carolina. Being the largest city and capital of this state, Columbia is ranked as the number one city with the most job opportunities at a rate of 4.08 percent and an average monthly salary of $2,634. An entry-level salary may be a bit lower than this though, depending on the job role. There are also jobs that pay $150k a year without a degree available, if you know where to look.
The best places to live in South Carolina are beautiful cities like Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Charleston, and Columbia. Based on location, crime rate, housing, employment rate, and local amenities, these places top the chart. Some of these cities also have several of the most prestigious universities in South Carolina, such as the Medical University of South Carolina.
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