Payroll clerk salary in South Carolina
The median payroll clerk in South Carolina earns $52,240 a year, or $25.12 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 10% below the national median of $58,260, and 39th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of South Carolina’s 1,550 payroll clerks earn between $45,500 and $62,400. The highest paying metro area in the state is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, at $57,650.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 11% of what one costs in South Carolina. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in South Carolina
Every metro area in South Carolina where BLS publishes a median for payroll clerks, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $57,650 | $27.72 | $49,170 to $66,540 | 970 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $54,150 | $26.04 | $42,140 to $63,810 | 110 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $53,930 | $25.93 | $49,270 to $69,680 | 280 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $53,560 | $25.75 | $47,720 to $65,680 | 280 |
| Columbia, SC | $52,240 | $25.12 | $45,480 to $62,100 | 220 |
| Florence, SC | $51,860 | $24.94 | $44,450 to $64,260 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $51,490 | $24.76 | $49,310 to $60,210 | 390 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,200 | $24.14 | $42,540 to $55,970 | 60 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $48,660 | $23.39 | $45,760 to $63,380 | 40 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in South Carolina
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a payroll clerk at the South Carolina median costs about $70,500 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a payroll clerk costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a payroll clerk’s job, for 11% of what one costs in South Carolina.
- Collects the hours and the approvals before the run and flags what does not add up.
- Cross-checks the payroll totals against the books at month end.
- Tells you on Monday whether Friday’s payroll is covered, from the bank, the books and the payouts on their way.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $70,500 a year for a payroll clerk at the South Carolina median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI bookkeeper.
Questions
How much does a payroll clerk make in South Carolina?
The median payroll clerk in South Carolina earned $52,240 a year, or $25.12 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $45,500 and $62,400. Nationally the median is $58,260, so South Carolina pays 10% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in South Carolina pay payroll clerks the most?
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($57,650), Spartanburg, SC ($54,150) and Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($53,930).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in South Carolina?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the South Carolina median costs about $70,500 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/payroll-clerk.
Payroll clerk salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-3051. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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