South Carolina Median
$36,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $44,910
State Rank
#35 of 39
200 employed here
How much does a Psychiatric Aide make in South Carolina?
Psychiatric Aides in South Carolina take home a median of $36,320 annually — roughly $17.46 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $44,910.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $32,320 while the top 10% make $39,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,470 and $37,200 a year.
Psychiatric Aide salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,320 | $15.54 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,470 | $15.61 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,320 | $17.46 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,200 | $17.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 35th out of 39 states and territories for Psychiatric Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Psychiatric Aide salary in other states
Minnesota $55,040Washington $52,570Hawaii $52,310Maryland $51,440Nevada $51,400Rhode Island $51,100New York $50,220Alaska $49,300Illinois $48,670Oregon $48,300Vermont $47,860California $47,500Maine $46,720Montana $46,340Colorado $46,130Michigan $45,800New Jersey $45,780Massachusetts $45,300Oklahoma $44,960Indiana $44,860Pennsylvania $44,790Connecticut $44,660Texas $42,560Utah $40,810Missouri $39,840Iowa $39,260Kentucky $38,610Ohio $38,480North Carolina $38,400Kansas $38,390Florida $37,930West Virginia $37,910Virginia $37,280Georgia $36,790Arkansas $36,270Mississippi $30,510Louisiana $30,030Alabama $27,150
Working as a Psychiatric Aide in South Carolina
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Psychiatric Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($36,320) 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 Psychiatric Aide make in South Carolina?
The median Psychiatric Aide salary in South Carolina is $36,320 per year, or about $17.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,320 at the entry level to $39,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Psychiatric Aides about 19% less than the national median of $44,910. South Carolina ranks 35th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Psychiatric Aides?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,320 a year. About 200 Psychiatric Aides 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 Psychiatric Aide salary report
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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.