Blog · Payroll Management
South Carolina Minimum Wage 2026: Federal Rate Applies
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal $7.25 per hour rate applies in 2026, per the U.S. Department of Labor's state minimum wage chart.
Without a state minimum wage statute, South Carolina employers follow federal FLSA rules for both wage floors and overtime. This guide covers what applies for 2026 and where employers should focus their compliance attention.
South Carolina Minimum Wage Rates for 2026
| Wage Floor | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| South Carolina state minimum wage | No state law (federal rate applies) |
| Federal minimum wage (FLSA) | $7.25 |
Because South Carolina has not passed its own minimum wage statute, the federal $7.25 rate is the operative wage floor for covered employers statewide, with no regional or local variation to track.
Overtime Rules in South Carolina
South Carolina does not have a state overtime statute, so employers follow federal FLSA rules: 1.5x the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime threshold.
Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family Leave
South Carolina does not require paid sick leave and does not operate a state paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. Employers rely on federal FMLA protections where applicable, along with any voluntary leave benefits they choose to offer.
Tipped Employees and Local Ordinances
Tip credit provisions allow eligible employers to pay tipped employees a lower direct cash wage as long as tips bring total compensation up to at least the applicable minimum wage. Because coverage and tipped wage rules can be fact-specific, confirm current requirements through the DOL state labor office contacts page rather than assuming a fixed figure applies.
What This Means for Payroll Compliance
South Carolina payroll compliance means applying federal FLSA wage and overtime rules correctly, since there is no separate state framework to layer on top. Simplicity at the wage-floor level does not remove the need for accurate FLSA classification and overtime calculation at every payroll close.
BEG's managed payroll service applies federal wage and overtime rules automatically for South Carolina employers at every payroll run, keeping compliance consistent without manual tracking.
South Carolina Payroll, Handled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Carolina minimum wage in 2026?
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to covered employers in 2026.
Does South Carolina plan to set its own minimum wage?
South Carolina has not enacted a state minimum wage law as of 2026. Employers should monitor for any future state legislation, but currently the federal rate governs.
What is the overtime rule in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not have its own overtime statute, so employers follow federal FLSA rules: 1.5x the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Does South Carolina require paid sick leave or paid family leave?
No. South Carolina does not have a statewide paid sick leave mandate or a state paid family and medical leave (PFML) program as of 2026.
Where can South Carolina employers confirm current wage and hour requirements?
The U.S. Department of Labor publishes a state-by-state minimum wage chart, and its state contacts directory links directly to the South Carolina labor office for guidance on FLSA coverage and enforcement.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and state-specific wage and hour requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
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