Myrtle Beach Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Myrtle Beach, SC: $20.19/hr median hourly wage, $42,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 95, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and South Carolina taxes.
Myrtle Beach Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Myrtle Beach, SC is $20.19/hr, equivalent to $42,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $12.52/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $28.67/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$42,000
$20.19/hr
Cost of Living
95
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Myrtle Beach, SC Overview
Population
35,682
Median Salary
$42,000
Average Salary
$47,500
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$275,000
Median Rent
$1,200/mo
Job Growth
+2%
Sales Tax
9%
Myrtle Beach is located in South Carolina with a population of 35,682. The median household salary is $42,000 per year ($20.19/hour), which is $17,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2%.
Myrtle Beach Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Myrtle Beach, SC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $42,000 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 | $26,040 | $12.52/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $42,000 | $20.19/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $59,640 | $28.67/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $74,760 | $35.94/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.
Myrtle Beach Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Myrtle Beach, SC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$33,323
$2,776.92/month · $1,281.65/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,281.65 take-home per paycheck after estimated South Carolina and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$42,000
Federal Tax
-$2,860
State Tax
-$2,604
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,213
Net Pay
$33,323
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,500.00 | $42,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$238.33 | -$2,860.00 |
| South Carolina State Tax (6.2%) | -$217.00 | -$2,604.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$217.00 | -$2,604.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$50.75 | -$609.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,776.92 | $33,323.00 |
Salary Comparison: Myrtle Beach vs Other Cities
See how Myrtle Beach's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $42,000 | 95 | $44,211 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hialeah, FL | $42,000 | 110 | $38,182 |
| Youngstown, OH | $42,000 | 78 | $53,846 |
| Reading, PA | $42,000 | 85 | $49,412 |
| Laredo, TX | $42,000 | 80 | $52,500 |
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 Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach's cost of living index is 95 (national average = 100). Living in Myrtle Beach is 5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$275,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Annual Rent Cost
$14,400
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $33,323 annual take-home pay in Myrtle Beach has the purchasing power of approximately $35,077 in an average-cost US area. Your $42,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $42,000.
Salary Tips for Myrtle Beach Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.2% 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. Myrtle Beach's top industries include Tourism, Hospitality, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $42,000 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 Myrtle Beach salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Myrtle Beach-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 Myrtle Beach indexed at 95.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Myrtle Beach's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $42,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects South Carolina state income tax (6.2%) (no local income tax), sales tax (9%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Myrtle Beach: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Tourism, Hospitality, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for South Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $275,000, median rent $1,200/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Myrtle Beach, SC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Myrtle Beach unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Myrtle Beach 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. Myrtle Beach'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 hourly wage in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The median hourly wage in Myrtle Beach, SC is $20.19 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $42,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $12.52/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $28.67/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The median salary in Myrtle Beach, SC is $42,000 per year, or $20.19 per hour. The average salary is $47,500. This is $17,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Myrtle Beach, SC?
Myrtle Beach's cost of living index is 95 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $275,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,200.
What are the best industries in Myrtle Beach?
The top industries in Myrtle Beach, SC include Tourism, Hospitality, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $42,000.
How does Myrtle Beach's salary compare to other cities?
Myrtle Beach's median salary of $42,000 is 29.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 95), the real purchasing power is approximately $44,211.
What is the minimum wage in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The minimum wage in Myrtle Beach, 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.