Chief Executive Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chief Executives in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$168,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$81.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $213,990
State Rank
#33 of 46
1,740 employed here

How much does a Chief Executive make in South Carolina?

A Chief Executive working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $168,840 per year, or about $81.17 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $213,990 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $49,760 while the top 10% make $393,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,000 and $258,950 a year.

Chief Executive salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,760$23.92
25th percentile (early career)$109,000$52.40
50th percentile (median)$168,840$81.17
75th percentile (experienced)$258,950$124.50
90th percentile (top earners)$393,490$189.18

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 33rd out of 46 states and territories for Chief Executive pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$341,630
2Washington$339,810
3Illinois$331,920
4North Carolina$314,290
5Virginia$310,740

Working as a Chief Executive in South Carolina

Nationally, about 204,000 people work as Chief Executives in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($168,840) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Chief Executive make in South Carolina?
The median Chief Executive salary in South Carolina is $168,840 per year, or about $81.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,760 at the entry level to $393,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Chief Executives about 21% less than the national median of $213,990. South Carolina ranks 33rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Chief Executives?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $168,840 a year. About 1,740 Chief Executives are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Chief Executive salary report

Related salaries

Manager, All Other

$141,900
median pay · 622,000 employed

Architectural and Engineering Managers

$171,270
median pay · 220,000 employed

Compensation and Benefits Managers

$149,230
median pay · 23,000 employed

Natural Science Managers

$167,220
median pay · 109,000 employed

Advertising and Promotions Managers

$133,660
median pay · 21,000 employed

Human Resource Managers

$149,280
median pay · 221,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.