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Project Management Salary in South Carolina: Is It a Good Career?

South Carolina · 2026 BLS salary data

Project Management pay in South Carolina

The median wage is $95,040/yr — 7% below the national median. Among U.S. states, South Carolinaranks #35 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in South Carolina

Real BLS state-level figures for Project Management.

Median salary
$95,040/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$72,960 – $125,480
National median
$102,320/yr
Employed in South Carolina
17,040

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in South Carolina

Salary alone can mislead — South Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
93.7
Nominal median
$95,040
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $101,430
State income tax
Up to 6.2%

Because South Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #29 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #35 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do project management professionals make in South Carolina?

The median annual wage is $95,040 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $72,960 and $125,480. That's 7% below the national median.

Is South Carolina a good state for project management?

By raw pay, South Carolina ranks #35 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (South Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $101,430. Because South Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #29 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #35 on raw salary.

Are project management professionals in demand in South Carolina?

About 17,040 people work in this field in South Carolina (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +5.6% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Project Management nationally — South Carolina pay is 7% below the national median. See the full Project Management career guide →

The verdict

Yes as a career step-up — project management pays well, spans nearly every industry, and rewards certification (PMP) with higher pay. It's rarely an entry-level role, though: it works best as a move up after gaining domain experience, and the accountability can be stressful.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pay, faster-than-average growth
  • Demand across nearly every industry
  • Certification (PMP) meaningfully lifts pay
  • Transferable, cross-industry skill set
  • Remote-friendly in many sectors

Cons

  • Rarely a true entry-level role
  • High accountability with limited direct authority
  • Stress when timelines or scope slip
  • Success depends on stakeholders you don't control
  • Can involve heavy meetings and reporting

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Organized people with domain experience
  • Those willing to certify (PMP/CAPM)
  • Anyone wanting a cross-industry step-up

✗ Probably not if…

  • People seeking a first job with no experience
  • Those uncomfortable with accountability under pressure

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Project Management is worth it — titles link to the original threads.