Firefighters Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,130
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,510
- 50th Percentile — Median$42,570
- 75th Percentile — Senior$49,570
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,150
Half of Firefighters in South Carolina earn more than $42,570. The top 10% make $62,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,130.
Firefighters in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 43rd of 50 states for Firefighters pay, at $43,900 per year (31.0% below the U.S. average of $63,630).
- 7,780 people work as Firefighters in South Carolina — 2.2% of all U.S. Firefighters jobs.
- Location quotient 1.52: Firefighters jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,130; the top 10% earn over $62,150.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.11 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $95,090.
- Among public safety jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($81,260).
Firefighters Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Firefighters here earn $43,900 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $43,900 is roughly equivalent to $49,886 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($49,570), Kansas ($49,110), Georgia ($47,170) are the closest alternatives for Firefighters weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $81,260/yr South Carolina +85.1% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $77,020/yr South Carolina +75.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $70,880/yr South Carolina +61.5% vs this role
- Police Officers $60,420/yr South Carolina +37.6% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $58,980/yr South Carolina +34.4% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,520/yr South Carolina +17.4% vs this role
- Security Guards $37,060/yr South Carolina 15.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Firefighters salary in South Carolina?
The average Firefighters salary in South Carolina is $43,900 per year (median $42,570), which is 31.0% below the national average of $63,630.
How does South Carolina rank for Firefighters pay?
South Carolina ranks 43rd out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is California ($95,090/yr).
How much do entry-level Firefighters make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Firefighters in South Carolina earn about $29,130 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,510.
How much do Firefighters make per hour in South Carolina?
About $21.11 per hour, based on the $43,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Firefighters work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 7,780 Firefighters jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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