Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Secondary school teachers in South Carolina earned a median of $61,300 in 2024, about 15% below the national median of $72,150. That gap is one of the larger state-level deficits we see for this occupation across the Southeast.
The pay range is relatively tight. The bottom 10% earned around $45,430, and the top 10% reached $78,450. Top earners make roughly 1.7 times what entry-level teachers make, a narrower spread than we see in most professional occupations. Teaching pay here is compressed by design: step-based salary schedules in public school districts move teachers along a predictable ladder, leaving less room at the top.
South Carolina's cost of living sits just below the national baseline, with an overall index of 96.6. That closes a small part of the nominal gap. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective median lands closer to $63,400 in national-baseline dollars, trimming the shortfall to around 12%. The gap narrows but does not close.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, placing it in the decline category. Enrollment trends and state budget cycles are the main forces behind that figure, though the pace is gradual rather than sharp. The state employs about 17,010 secondary school teachers as of 2024, a large base that will still generate openings through retirement and turnover even as headcount edges lower.
Salary distribution
Where South Carolina secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $55,790 and $76,600, with a median of $62,580.
Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 200 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $61,458. 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 | 112 | $55,812 |
| Level II — qualified | 52 | $63,031 |
| Level III — experienced | 15 | $62,163 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 21 | $73,659 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | High School Science Teacher | 24 | $63,422 |
| RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE | High School English Teacher | 23 | $64,884 |
| Dorchester School District Two | World Language Teacher - High School Spanish | 22 | $61,768 |
| Jasper County School District | High School Teacher | 19 | $45,960 |
| Lexington County School District One | World Language Teacher - High School Spanish | 16 | $65,060 |
| Darlington County School District | Secondary Science Teacher | 11 | $56,162 |
| Lee County School District | Secondary Math Teacher | 8 | $52,000 |
| Calhoun County School District | ESOL Teacher | 6 | $54,666 |
| Colleton County School District | High School Math Teacher | 6 | $47,000 |
| Dillon School District Four | HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER | 6 | $63,750 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER at LAURENS SCHOOL DISTRICT 55$71,100LaurensWage Level IIIDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-725310
- HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER at BARNWELL COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT$85,041BlackvilleWage Level IVDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726742
- High School Science Teacher at Lexington County School District One$67,469LexingtonWage Level IDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-724662
- High School Science Teacher at ALLENDALE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT$52,000FairfaxWage Level IIDecided Mar 27, 2026I-200-26079-718513
- World Language Teacher - High School Spanish at Dorchester School District Two$71,988SummervilleWage Level IDecided Mar 25, 2026I-200-26077-711940
- HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER at Fairfield County School District$63,937WinnsboroWage Level IIIDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-710035
- HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHER at Fairfield County School District$62,163WinnsboroWage Level IIIDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-710086
- High School Math Teacher at Dorchester School District Two$66,161North CharlestonWage Level IDecided Mar 23, 2026I-200-26075-705013
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.
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Secondary School Teachers 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.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in South Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 152 certified offers. The most common variant is High School Science Teacher at a median of $62,689.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Science Teacher | ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 31 | $62,689 |
| High School Math Teacher | ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 28 | $65,674 |
| High School Teacher | Jasper County School District | 21 | $45,960 |
| World Language Teacher - High School Spanish | Dorchester School District Two | 15 | $64,478 |
| High School Spanish Teacher | ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 13 | $60,439 |
| Secondary Math Teacher | Williamsburg County School District | 9 | $49,500 |
| High School English Teacher | RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE | 8 | $64,411 |
| Secondary Science Teacher | Darlington County School District | 7 | $62,287 |
| Secondary Mathematics Teacher | Barnwell County School District | 6 | $53,207 |
| High School Mathematics Teacher | ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5 | $54,423 |
| Secondary School Teacher | Orangeburg High School for Health Professions (HSHP) | 5 | $61,338 |
| Secondary English Teacher | Darlington County School District | 4 | $55,578 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 200 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $61,505.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 198 | $61,505 |
| Professional services | Global Teachers Solutions LLC | 2 | $60,000 |
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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina is $62,580.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The South Carolina median is -16.1% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,740 and the 90th-percentile at $80,700, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- 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.