Salary & Cost of Living in Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC: $57,882 median salary, cost of living index 118.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$57,882
$28/hr
Cost of Living
118.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Hilton Head Island, SC Overview
Population
40,000
Median Salary
$57,882
Average Salary
$64,828
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$520,000
Median Rent
$2,100/mo
Job Growth
+1.6%
Sales Tax
6%
Hilton Head Island is located in South Carolina with a population of 40,000. The median household salary is $57,882 per year ($28/hour), which is $1,502 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.6%.
Hilton Head Island Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Hilton Head Island, SC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $57,882 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 | $35,887 | $17.25/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $57,882 | $27.83/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $82,192 | $39.52/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $103,030 | $49.54/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.
Hilton Head Island Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Hilton Head Island, SC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$44,784
$3,732.03/month · $1,722.48/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.6%
Gross Pay
$57,882
Federal Tax
-$4,907
State Tax
-$3,762
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,428
Net Pay
$44,784
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,823.50 | $57,882.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$408.95 | -$4,907.34 |
| South Carolina State Tax (6.5%) | -$313.53 | -$3,762.33 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$299.06 | -$3,588.68 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$69.94 | -$839.29 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,732.03 | $44,784.36 |
Salary Comparison: Hilton Head Island vs Other Cities
See how Hilton Head Island's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $57,882 | 118.5 | $48,846 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Coram, NY | $57,880 | 123.7 | $46,791 |
| Saratoga Springs, NY | $57,858 | 137.2 | $42,171 |
| North Richland Hills, TX | $57,945 | 95.2 | $60,867 |
| Woodbury, MN | $57,953 | 106.9 | $54,212 |
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 Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island's cost of living index is 118.5 (national average = 100). Living in Hilton Head Island is 18.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$520,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Annual Rent Cost
$25,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $44,784 annual take-home pay in Hilton Head Island has the purchasing power of approximately $37,793 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $68,590 in Hilton Head Island to match a $57,882 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $57,882.
Salary Tips for Hilton Head Island 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. Hilton Head Island's top industries include Automotive, Tourism, Military. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $57,882 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 Hilton Head Island salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Hilton Head Island-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 Hilton Head Island indexed at 118.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Hilton Head Island's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $57,882 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 Hilton Head Island: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Tourism, Military — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for South Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $520,000, median rent $2,100/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Hilton Head Island, SC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Hilton Head Island unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Hilton Head Island 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. Hilton Head Island'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 Hilton Head Island, SC?
The median salary in Hilton Head Island, SC is $57,882 per year, or $28 per hour. The average salary is $64,828. This is $1,502 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Hilton Head Island, SC?
Hilton Head Island's cost of living index is 118.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 18.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $520,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,100.
What are the best industries in Hilton Head Island?
The top industries in Hilton Head Island, SC include Automotive, Tourism, Military. The city has a job growth rate of 1.6% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $57,882.
How does Hilton Head Island's salary compare to other cities?
Hilton Head Island's median salary of $57,882 is 2.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 118.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $48,846.
What is the minimum wage in Hilton Head Island, SC?
The minimum wage in Hilton Head Island, 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.