BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Carolina

$55,680 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$26.77 per hour

▼ 6.7% below U.S. average47th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$55,680per year
Median$51,130per year
Hourly$26.77per hour
10th – 90th percentile$39,330 – $77,070per year

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Pay Range in South Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,330
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$46,290
  • 50th Percentile — Median$51,130
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$62,660
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$77,070

Half of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Carolina earn more than $51,130. The top 10% make $77,070 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,330.

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay, at $55,680 per year (6.7% below the U.S. average of $59,710).
  • 34,170 people work as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Carolina — 1.7% of all U.S. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.12: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,330; the top 10% earn over $77,070.
  • Hourly equivalent: $26.77 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $69,520.
  • Among transportation jobs in South Carolina, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($150,970).

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 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. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers here earn $55,680 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $55,680 is roughly equivalent to $63,273 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alabama ($56,230), Maine ($55,980), Mississippi ($55,910) are the closest alternatives for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in South Carolina?

The average Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in South Carolina is $55,680 per year (median $51,130), which is 6.7% below the national average of $59,710.

How does South Carolina rank for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay?

South Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($69,520/yr).

How much do entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make in South Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Carolina earn about $39,330 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,290.

How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour in South Carolina?

About $26.77 per hour, based on the $55,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers work in South Carolina?

BLS counts 34,170 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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