💰 Salary Guide

Social Worker Salary in South Carolina (2026 Guide)

South Carolina falls on the lower-wage side of the U.S. social worker labor market, with a weighted mean salary of $56,043. Licensure level and practice setting drive most of the variation — LCSWs in clinical and healthcare roles earn substantially more, reaching $84,720. Pay reflects South Carolina's coastal growth and inland rural need.

$56,043
Mean salary
-8.6% vs. U.S. median
$84,720
LCSW upside
+51.2% above state mean
9,400 (est.)
Employed
BLS OES May 2024
+7.4%
Growth 2024–2034
Projected job growth
Salary Breakdown

South Carolina salary by specialty.

BLS tracks four social worker subcategories. Each has different salary dynamics driven by licensure, setting, and employer type.

Specialty (SOC) South Carolina mean U.S. mean Differential
Child, Family & School
SOC 21-1021 · BSW/LMSW/LCSW		 $49,360 $58,570 -15.7%
Healthcare / Medical
SOC 21-1022 · LCSW		 $66,000 $68,090 -3.1%
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
SOC 21-1023 · LCSW		 $44,380 $60,060 -26.1%
Social Workers, All Other
SOC 21-1029 · Policy/VA/Private		 $84,720 $69,480 +21.9%

Data: BLS OES May 2024. Differential compares state subcategory mean to national subcategory mean.

What this means

What this salary picture tells you.

South Carolina offers below-average pay with real hiring pressure. NHSC loan repayment eligibility, HRSA-designated shortage areas, and PSLF-eligible public-sector roles often add significant effective compensation beyond the base salary.

Shortage level: High   Demand score: 86/100   Top settings: Healthcare, Schools, Behavioral health

How to earn more in South Carolina

Three levers that move the salary needle.

1. LCSW licensure. The LCSW is the single biggest salary lever in social work. In South Carolina, licensed clinical social workers earn up to $84,720 — +51.2% above the state mean. Requires 3,000 supervised clinical hours and 2 years post-MSW.

2. Specialty choice. Healthcare social workers earn $66,000 on average in South Carolina — typically the highest-paying subcategory. Substance use and geriatric specializations also command premiums due to demand.

3. Setting and employer type. Nationally, state/local government and hospital systems pay $12,000–$16,000 more than individual and family services. PSLF-eligible public-sector employment adds significant effective compensation for anyone with student loans.

LCSW path in South CarolinaHours, timeline, examSee the roadmap → Find supervisionConnect with LCSW supervisorsBrowse supervisors → Open jobs in South CarolinaLCSW-eligible with 4-signal listingsBrowse jobs →
Compare South Carolina to peer states

Salary peers worth comparing.

Automatically selected based on region, salary tier, and shortage contrast.

West Virginia
South · Mean salary
$54,972
Nebraska
Midwest · Mean salary
$55,076
Ohio
Midwest · Mean salary
$58,120
Washington
West · Mean salary
$75,689
FAQ

Common questions about social work salary in South Carolina.

How much do social workers make in South Carolina?
The weighted mean annual salary for social workers in South Carolina is $56,043, based on BLS OES May 2024 data. Pay varies significantly by specialty: Child/Family/School social workers average $49,360, Healthcare social workers $66,000, and Mental Health & Substance Abuse social workers $44,380.
How much do LCSWs make in South Carolina?
LCSWs in South Carolina typically earn up to $84,720 in the highest-paying settings (usually mental health, healthcare, or specialty private practice). That's +51.2% above the overall state mean. Clinical licensure is the single biggest salary lever in social work.
What's the highest-paying social work specialty in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, the highest-paying subcategory is All Other (policy, VA, private practice) at $84,720. Nationally, healthcare social work tends to be the most consistently well-paid, but state-specific patterns vary.
Is South Carolina a good state for social workers?
South Carolina has a demand score of 86/100 based on growth rate, shortage pressure, and labor-market signals. The state's high shortage level and 7.4% projected growth 2024–2034 shape both job availability and compensation dynamics. Best-fit settings include healthcare, schools, behavioral health.
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), May 2024 — mean annual wage by SOC subcategory (21-1021 / 21-1022 / 21-1023 / 21-1029). Weighted mean uses national employment weights (CFS 49%, HC 24%, MH 17%, Other 10%). State employment counts: BLS OES SOC 21-1020 aggregated; est. indicates population-proportional estimate. Growth rate: BLS national 2024–2034 projection with state demographic modifiers. Last updated April 2026. This page provides general career-planning data, not legal or licensing advice — verify current state board requirements before making career decisions.