What the numbers say
The median Accountant or Auditor in South Carolina earned $73,180 in 2024, about 13% below the US median of $84,407. That gap is real, though not the whole story.
The average wage was $84,260, noticeably higher than the median. A smaller group of senior accountants and auditors pulls that figure up. Entry-level pay starts around $48,220 at the 10th percentile, while the top end reaches $131,550 at the 90th. Top earners make roughly 2.7 times what those at the bottom of the range do, a spread typical for a profession where experience and specialization move compensation significantly over a career.
South Carolina's cost of living runs about 3.4% below the national average, based on BEA regional price data. That narrows the headline gap. In purchasing terms, the state median of $73,180 works out closer to roughly $75,700 in national-baseline dollars. That still trails the US figure, but by less than the raw numbers suggest.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 4.6% between 2024 and 2034, in line with the national average outlook across occupations. The state employs around 15,250 Accountants and Auditors. South Carolina's mix leans toward manufacturing, logistics, and financial services outside major metro markets, which tends to put downward pressure on wages compared to states with higher concentrations of large financial institutions or tech-adjacent firms.
Salary distribution
Where South Carolina accountants and auditors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $56,870 and $97,600, with a median of $73,180.
Accountants and Auditors in South Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 23 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $74,500. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $72,800 |
| Level II — qualified | 13 | $75,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 4 | $92,840 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Accountants and Auditors in South Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schaeffler Group USA Inc. | Group Leader - Plant Controlling | 4 | $93,972 |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Accountants and Auditors - KBGFJG335935-1 | 3 | $75,000 |
| Burkett, Burkett, & Burkett Certified Public Accountants, P.A. | Staff Accountant-Audit | 2 | $62,865 |
| Family Health Centers, Inc. | Senior Accountant | 1 | $64,168 |
| Charter Institute at Erskine | Fiscal Assistant - General Fund | 1 | $60,000 |
| COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | Financial Analyst (Accounting/Fiscal Manager III) | 1 | $74,500 |
| Network Controls & Electric, LLC | Controller | 1 | $80,000 |
| Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc. | Accounting Specialist | 1 | $50,731 |
| RBUS, Inc. | Staff Accountant | 1 | $80,496 |
| Wrestore Technology LLC | Accountant | 1 | $69,202 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Senior Accountant at Family Health Centers, Inc.$64,168OrangeburgDecided Dec 24, 2025I-200-25351-491048
- Fiscal Assistant - General Fund at Charter Institute at Erskine$60,000ColumbiaDecided Nov 18, 2025I-200-25314-392139
- Group Leader - Plant Controlling at Schaeffler Group USA Inc.$97,844Fort MillDecided Nov 4, 2025I-200-25268-333882
- Financial Analyst (Accounting/Fiscal Manager III) at COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY$74,500ConwayWage Level IDecided Jul 21, 2025I-200-25195-173247
- Controller at Network Controls & Electric, LLC$80,000GreerWage Level IIIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-101838
- Accounting Specialist at Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc.$50,731Mt. PleasantWage Level IDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-014205
- Senior Specialist Controlling- Business Division Controlling at Schaeffler Group USA Inc.$90,100Fort MillWage Level IIDecided May 30, 2025I-200-25142-009421
- Staff Accountant at RBUS, Inc.$80,496Fort MillWage Level IIDecided May 28, 2025I-200-25141-999454
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Accountants and Auditors pay by experience level in South Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Accountants and Auditors specialties in South Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 11 certified offers. The most common variant is Accountant at a median of $66,685.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | Family Health Centers, Inc. | 8 | $66,685 |
| Accountants and Auditors - KBGFJG335935-1 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 3 | $75,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Accountants and Auditors in South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 22 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $67,018.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9 | $67,018 |
| Manufacturing | Schaeffler Group USA Inc. | 8 | $83,948 |
| Education | Charter Institute at Erskine | 2 | $67,250 |
| Healthcare | Family Health Centers, Inc. | 1 | $64,168 |
| Transportation and logistics | Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc. | 1 | $50,731 |
| Real estate | L & G Investments, LLC | 1 | $72,800 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- 02
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- 03
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- 04
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- 05
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- 06
Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- 07
Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
- 08
Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Accountants and Auditors in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in South Carolina is $73,180.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Accountants and Auditors?
- The South Carolina median is -13.3% versus the BLS national figure of $84,407.
- What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,220 and the 90th-percentile at $131,550, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Accountants and Auditors a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Accountants and Auditors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.