Salary & Cost of Living in Sumter, SC
Sumter, SC: $42,305 median salary, cost of living index 85.4, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$42,305
$20/hr
Cost of Living
85.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Sumter, SC Overview
Population
40,524
Median Salary
$42,305
Average Salary
$47,382
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$251,000
Median Rent
$1,024/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
6%
Sumter is located in South Carolina with a population of 40,524. The median household salary is $42,305 per year ($20/hour), which is $17,079 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Sumter Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Sumter, SC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $42,305 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 | $26,229 | $12.61/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $42,305 | $20.34/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $60,073 | $28.88/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $75,303 | $36.21/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.
Sumter Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Sumter, SC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$33,281
$2,773.40/month · $1,280.03/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Gross Pay
$42,305
Federal Tax
-$3,038
State Tax
-$2,750
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,236
Net Pay
$33,281
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,525.42 | $42,305.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$253.17 | -$3,038.10 |
| South Carolina State Tax (6.5%) | -$229.15 | -$2,749.83 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$218.58 | -$2,622.91 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$51.12 | -$613.42 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,773.40 | $33,280.74 |
Salary Comparison: Sumter vs Other Cities
See how Sumter's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter, SC | $42,305 | 85.4 | $49,537 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Valrico, FL | $42,305 | 96.4 | $43,885 |
| Indian Trail, NC | $42,304 | 86.2 | $49,077 |
| Portage, MI | $42,318 | 88.3 | $47,925 |
| Laplace, LA | $42,291 | 84.6 | $49,989 |
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 Sumter
Sumter's cost of living index is 85.4 (national average = 100). Living in Sumter is 14.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$251,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,024
Annual Rent Cost
$12,288
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $33,281 annual take-home pay in Sumter has the purchasing power of approximately $38,970 in an average-cost US area. Your $42,305 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Sumter
Sumter's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $42,305.
Salary Tips for Sumter Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Sumter has a cost of living 14.599999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $42,305 here has the purchasing power of about $49,537 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. Sumter's top industries include Automotive, Tourism, Military. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $42,305 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 Sumter salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Sumter-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 Sumter indexed at 85.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Sumter's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $42,305 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 Sumter: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Tourism, Military — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for South Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $251,000, median rent $1,024/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Sumter, SC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Sumter unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Sumter 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. Sumter'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 Sumter, SC?
The median salary in Sumter, SC is $42,305 per year, or $20 per hour. The average salary is $47,382. This is $17,079 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Sumter, SC?
Sumter's cost of living index is 85.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $251,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,024.
What are the best industries in Sumter?
The top industries in Sumter, SC include Automotive, Tourism, Military. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $42,305.
How does Sumter's salary compare to other cities?
Sumter's median salary of $42,305 is 28.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 85.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,537.
What is the minimum wage in Sumter, SC?
The minimum wage in Sumter, 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.