Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in South Carolina make a median of $99,740 a year, or about $47.95 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.17), which stretches that salary to about $107,052 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,263/month, or 20% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $100K get you in South Carolina?
About computer programmers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in South Carolina
Computer programmers pay in South Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $100K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,263/month, 20.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.17 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Carolina
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K. Top earners bring in $135K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in South Carolina
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $108K | +8% | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $100K | -0% | 130 |
| Columbia | $98K | -1% | 190 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $91K | -9% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $100K, rent takes 20.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,263/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in South Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,788/month. At HUD’s $1,263/month FMR, rent would take 33% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in South Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $100K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for computer programmers?
South Carolina pays $100K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $107K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in South Carolina?
The median is $99,740 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,130, and experienced computer programmers can clear $135,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,150/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 20.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 93.17 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer programmers salary is worth about $107,052 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.