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Columbia, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Retail Salesperson Salary in Columbia, SC

In the Columbia, SC metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $30,700 ($14.76/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,300/year and the 90th was $45,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,535 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,700$14.76 per hour · $2,558 monthly
10th Percentile$22,300$10.72/hr base
25th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
75th Percentile$36,300$17.45/hr base
90th Percentile$45,500$21.88/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $31,000 a year leaves after tax in South CarolinaFederal tax, FICA and South Carolina withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $31,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $31,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation South Carolina publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about South Carolina.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,700
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,700
Net 86%
Fed 5%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,535After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,211Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,021Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,504 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$312 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,349 / yr
Customize deductions in full South Carolina calculator

Retail Salespersons Wage Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Retail Salespersons in the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$10.72/hr$1,858$22,300$19,829
25th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,847
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.76/hr$2,558$30,700$26,535
75th Percentile$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,923
90th Percentile$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$38,038

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbia, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,359Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.76.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.9%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

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Retail Salespersons pay in other South Carolina metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Columbia, SC. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Columbia, SC

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC is $30,700, which equates to approximately $2,558 per month or $14.76 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC is $14.76 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.72/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.88/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC span from $22,300 at the 10th percentile to $27,300 at the 25th, $36,300 at the 75th, and $45,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Columbia, SC?

On a median gross salary of $30,700, an estimated $26,535 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,021 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,165 (an effective rate of 13.6%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Columbia, SC?

On the median annual salary of $30,700, gross monthly income is $2,558. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,211 per month (or $1,021 every two weeks).

Is $30,700 a good salary in Columbia, SC?

At $30,700, the median salary for retail salespersons is 44.9% of the Columbia, SC median household income ($68,359). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.7, making regional consumer goods and services 6.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.