Salary & Cost of Living in Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg, SC: $29,790 median salary, cost of living index 84.8, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$29,790
$14/hr
Cost of Living
84.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
Spartanburg, SC Overview
Population
37,647
Median Salary
$29,790
Average Salary
$33,365
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$175,000
Median Rent
$719/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
6%
Spartanburg is located in South Carolina with a population of 37,647. The median household salary is $29,790 per year ($14/hour), which is $29,594 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Spartanburg Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Spartanburg, SC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $29,790 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 | $18,470 | $8.88/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $29,790 | $14.32/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $42,302 | $20.33/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $53,026 | $25.49/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.
Spartanburg Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Spartanburg, SC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$24,038
$2,003.20/month · $924.55/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.3%
Gross Pay
$29,790
Federal Tax
-$1,536
State Tax
-$1,936
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,279
Net Pay
$24,038
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,482.50 | $29,790.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$128.03 | -$1,536.30 |
| South Carolina State Tax (6.5%) | -$161.36 | -$1,936.35 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$153.92 | -$1,846.98 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.00 | -$431.96 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,003.20 | $24,038.42 |
Salary Comparison: Spartanburg vs Other Cities
See how Spartanburg's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,790 | 84.8 | $35,130 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,791 | 82.8 | $35,979 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,799 | 86.2 | $34,570 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,800 | 84.5 | $35,266 |
| Anderson, IN | $29,808 | 78.2 | $38,118 |
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 Spartanburg
Spartanburg's cost of living index is 84.8 (national average = 100). Living in Spartanburg is 15.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$175,000
Median Monthly Rent
$719
Annual Rent Cost
$8,628
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $24,038 annual take-home pay in Spartanburg has the purchasing power of approximately $28,347 in an average-cost US area. Your $29,790 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Spartanburg
Spartanburg's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $29,790.
Salary Tips for Spartanburg Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Spartanburg has a cost of living 15.200000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $29,790 here has the purchasing power of about $35,130 in an average-cost area.
- 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. Spartanburg's top industries include Automotive, Tourism, Military. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $29,790 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 Spartanburg salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Spartanburg-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 Spartanburg indexed at 84.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Spartanburg's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $29,790 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 Spartanburg: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Tourism, Military — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for South Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $175,000, median rent $719/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Spartanburg, SC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Spartanburg unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Spartanburg 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. Spartanburg'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 Spartanburg, SC?
The median salary in Spartanburg, SC is $29,790 per year, or $14 per hour. The average salary is $33,365. This is $29,594 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Spartanburg, SC?
Spartanburg's cost of living index is 84.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 15.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $175,000 and the median monthly rent is $719.
What are the best industries in Spartanburg?
The top industries in Spartanburg, SC include Automotive, Tourism, Military. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $29,790.
How does Spartanburg's salary compare to other cities?
Spartanburg's median salary of $29,790 is 49.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 84.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $35,130.
What is the minimum wage in Spartanburg, SC?
The minimum wage in Spartanburg, 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.