Salary & Cost of Living in Goose Creek, SC
Goose Creek, SC: $44,272 median salary, cost of living index 94.8, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$44,272
$21/hr
Cost of Living
94.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Goose Creek, SC Overview
Population
46,320
Median Salary
$44,272
Average Salary
$49,585
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$275,000
Median Rent
$1,123/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
6%
Goose Creek is located in South Carolina with a population of 46,320. The median household salary is $44,272 per year ($21/hour), which is $15,112 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Goose Creek Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Goose Creek, SC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $44,272 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $27,449 | $13.19/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $44,272 | $21.28/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $62,866 | $30.22/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $78,804 | $37.88/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Goose Creek Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Goose Creek, SC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$34,733
$2,894.45/month · $1,335.90/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.5%
Gross Pay
$44,272
Federal Tax
-$3,274
State Tax
-$2,878
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,387
Net Pay
$34,733
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,689.33 | $44,272.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$272.84 | -$3,274.14 |
| South Carolina State Tax (6.5%) | -$239.81 | -$2,877.68 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$228.74 | -$2,744.86 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$53.50 | -$641.94 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,894.45 | $34,733.37 |
Salary Comparison: Goose Creek vs Other Cities
See how Goose Creek's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek, SC | $44,272 | 94.8 | $46,700 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| East Providence, RI | $44,274 | 103.8 | $42,653 |
| Minot, ND | $44,276 | 92.8 | $47,711 |
| Kingsport, TN | $44,286 | 90.7 | $48,827 |
| Carson City, NV | $44,291 | 102.5 | $43,211 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Goose Creek
Goose Creek's cost of living index is 94.8 (national average = 100). Living in Goose Creek is 5.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$275,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,123
Annual Rent Cost
$13,476
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $34,733 annual take-home pay in Goose Creek has the purchasing power of approximately $36,639 in an average-cost US area. Your $44,272 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Goose Creek
Goose Creek's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $44,272.
Salary Tips for Goose Creek Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.5% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Goose Creek's top industries include Automotive, Tourism, Military. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $44,272 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Goose Creek salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Goose Creek-SC metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Goose Creek indexed at 94.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Goose Creek's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $44,272 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects South Carolina state income tax (6.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Goose Creek: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Tourism, Military — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for South Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $275,000, median rent $1,123/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Goose Creek, SC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Goose Creek unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Goose Creek QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — South Carolina — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Goose Creek's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent South Carolina labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Goose Creek, SC?
The median salary in Goose Creek, SC is $44,272 per year, or $21 per hour. The average salary is $49,585. This is $15,112 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Goose Creek, SC?
Goose Creek's cost of living index is 94.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $275,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,123.
What are the best industries in Goose Creek?
The top industries in Goose Creek, SC include Automotive, Tourism, Military. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $44,272.
How does Goose Creek's salary compare to other cities?
Goose Creek's median salary of $44,272 is 25.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 94.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $46,700.
What is the minimum wage in Goose Creek, SC?
The minimum wage in Goose Creek, SC is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.