Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a state trooper in South Carolina
State troopers in South Carolina meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) / Law Enforcement Training Council (LETC): age 21+, state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for South Carolina.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in South Carolina, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in South Carolina, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | SC |
|---|---|
| Workers | 12,930 |
| 10th percentile | $45,060 |
| Median | $58,070 |
| 90th percentile | $78,760 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in South Carolina
State employees: State public safety
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officers Retirement System (PORS) Class Three Class Three | 2.14% | At least 27 years of service credit (8 of which earned) | 9.75% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the South Carolina pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Free practice tests for South Carolina
South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Written Test (Nelson-Denny Reading Test)South Carolina exam · free on Open Exam Prep- South Carolina POST Peace Officer Certification Exam (SCCJA)South Carolina exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer page.
State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer in other states
More government jobs in South Carolina
South Carolina government jobs · South Carolina public pension plans · police officer standards in South Carolina · exam practice in South Carolina