Government Jobs in South Carolina: Employers & Pay

665

local governments (2022)

counties

271

cities, towns and townships

270

special districts

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Organization. Data captured September 30, 2026.

South Carolina state government pay plan

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources publishes the classification and pay plan for South Carolina state employees: 534 job classes and 51 pay grades. Below are the classes that match GovJobsWiki jobs, with annual ranges converted from the plan's published rates.

Job	Classes in the SC plan	Annual range
Administrative Assistant (government)	Administrative Assistant 1 class	$37,944 – $60,690
Administrative Law Judge / Hearing Officer	Hearings Officer 1 class	$53,142 – $90,372
Contract / Procurement Specialist	Procurement Specialist I–II 2 classes	$40,086 – $78,540
Correctional Officer (state prison)	Correctional Officer 1 class	$40,800 – $51,000
Crime Scene Investigator / Forensic Technician	Forensic Technician I–III 3 classes	$37,944 – $78,540
Detective / Criminal Investigator	Law Enforcement Investigator I–III 3 classes	$63,036 – $129,438
Eligibility Worker / Benefits Specialist	Eligibility Specialist I–II 2 classes	$31,314 – $55,182
Engineering Technician (DOT)	Engineering Technician II–IV, Transportation Engineering Technician I–IV, Transportation Engineering Associate I 8 classes	$40,086 – $105,978
Epidemiologist	Epidemiologist I–III 3 classes	$53,856 – $142,086
Forester	Forester I–II 2 classes	$40,086 – $78,540
Forestry Technician (USFS)	Forestry Technician I–III 3 classes	$34,476 – $68,136
GIS Analyst / Specialist	Geospatial Analyst I–II 2 classes	$46,206 – $105,978
Government Attorney (agency counsel)	Attorney I–VI 6 classes	$58,854 – $257,550
Government Auditor	Associate Auditor, Senior Auditor 2 classes	$40,086 – $105,978
Grants Specialist / Manager	Grants Coordinator I–II, Grants Administrator I–II 4 classes	$40,086 – $105,978
Heavy Equipment Operator (government)	Equipment Operator I–III 3 classes	$31,314 – $60,690
Highway / Road Maintenance Worker (DOT)	Highway Maintenance Worker I–V 5 classes	$34,476 – $105,978
Human Resources Specialist (government)	Human Resources Consultant I–III 3 classes	$53,142 – $121,890
Hydrologist	Geologist/Hydrologist I–III 3 classes	$46,206 – $121,890
IT Specialist (government)	IT Business Analyst I–III, Network Technician I–II, Systems Administrator 6 classes	$46,206 – $121,890
Park Ranger (NPS / state / county)	Park Ranger, Senior Park Ranger 2 classes	$37,944 – $68,136
Parole Officer	Probation and Parole Law Enforcement Officer I–III 3 classes	$49,368 – $74,868
Probation Officer	Probation and Parole Law Enforcement Officer I–III 3 classes	$49,368 – $74,868
Public Information Officer	Communications Specialist I–III, Public Information Coordinator I–II 5 classes	$26,928 – $78,540
Revenue Agent / Tax Examiner (IRS and state)	Revenue Officer 1 class	$53,142 – $90,372
Social Worker (government)	Social Worker 1 class	$46,206 – $78,540
Traffic Signal Technician	Traffic Signal Technician I–IV 4 classes	$40,086 – $105,978
Urban / City Planner	Transportation Planner I–V 5 classes	$40,086 – $146,166
Wildland Firefighter	Wildland Firefighter 1 class	$34,476 – $55,182
Wildlife / Fisheries Biologist	Wildlife Biologist I–IV 4 classes	$40,086 – $105,978

Classes are matched to jobs by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Source: South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources, South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Public employers in South Carolina

Fire departments · 208

Employer	City	Career firefighters	Website
Columbia Fire Department	Columbia	500	Official site
Charleston Fire Department	Charleston	381	Official site
Horry County Fire Rescue	Conway	364	Official site
Lexington County Fire Service	Lexington	276	Official site
North Charleston Fire Department	North Charleston	252	Official site
Greenville City Fire Department	Greenville	157	Official site
Myrtle Beach Fire Department	Myrtle Beach	151	Official site
Bluffton Township Fire District	Okatie	144	Official site
Rock Hill Fire Department	Rock Hill	139	Official site
Town of Mount Pleasant Fire Department	Mount Pleasant	123	Official site

All 208 fire departments in South Carolina →

Transit agencies · 17

Employer	City	Vehicles operated directly	Website
Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority	Sumter	43	Official site
Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority	Florence	41	Official site
Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority	Conway	31	Official site
Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority	Bluffton	29	Official site
Berkeley Charleston Dorchester RTMA	Moncks Corner	28	Official site
Spartanburg Regional Health Services, Inc.	Spartanburg	28	Official site
Greenville Transit Authority	Greenville	23	Official site
Williamsburg County	Kingstree	19	Official site
City of Clemson	Clemson	17	Official site
Fairfield County Transit System	Winnsboro	16	Official site

All 17 transit agencies in South Carolina →

School districts · 75

Employer	City	Teachers (FTE)	Website
Greenville 01	Greenville	5,123	Official site
Charleston 01	Charleston	3,925	Official site
Horry 01	Conway	3,365	Official site
Berkeley 01	Moncks Corner	2,451	Official site
Richland 02	Columbia	2,093	Official site
Lexington 01	Lexington	2,084	Official site
Beaufort 01	Beaufort	1,872	Official site
Richland 01	Columbia	1,802	Official site
Dorchester 02	Summerville	1,720	Official site
Aiken 01	Aiken	1,591	Official site

All 75 school districts in South Carolina →

Police departments · 184

Municipal and county police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.

All 184 police departments in South Carolina →

Sheriff's offices · 47

County sheriff's offices in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.

All 47 sheriff's offices in South Carolina →

Campus police departments · 29

College and university police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.

All 29 campus police departments in South Carolina →

Sources: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry; Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database 2024 — Reporter Agency Information; National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff); Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay for government jobs in South Carolina

Median wage in South Carolina for each job's occupation (all employers in the state), next to the national median in government. Largest occupations first.

Job	Workers in SC	Median in SC	National, government
Toll Collector SOC 41-2011	56,550	$28,530	$36,130
IRS Customer Service Representative SOC 43-4051	51,000	$38,860	$45,860
Correctional Nurse SOC 29-1141	49,750	$82,360	$100,490
Public Health Nurse SOC 29-1141	49,750	$82,360	$100,490
School Nurse SOC 29-1141	49,750	$82,360	$100,490
VA Nurse (Veterans Affairs) SOC 29-1141	49,750	$82,360	$100,490
Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government) SOC 43-9061	42,250	$36,840	$46,170
Administrative Assistant (government) SOC 43-6014	30,180	$44,880	$48,290
School Secretary / Office Manager SOC 43-6014	30,180	$44,880	$48,290
Custodian (schools & public buildings) SOC 37-2011	30,100	$31,180	$39,640
Elementary School Teacher SOC 25-2021	25,030	$60,820	$65,310
ESL / ELL Teacher SOC 25-2021	25,030	$60,820	$65,310
Public School Teacher SOC 25-2021	25,030	$60,820	$65,310
High School Teacher SOC 25-2031	16,080	$62,580	$74,220
Parks / Grounds Maintenance Worker SOC 37-3011	15,600	$36,710	$40,080
Accountant (government) SOC 13-2011	15,270	$76,560	$81,390
Government Auditor SOC 13-2011	15,270	$76,560	$81,390
Paraprofessional / Teacher Aide SOC 25-9045	14,410	$27,860	$36,990
Human Resources Specialist (government) SOC 13-1071	13,720	$65,370	$80,330
Border Patrol Agent SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
Campus / University Police Officer SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection) SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
Deputy Sheriff SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
Federal Police Officer (VA, Pentagon, Capitol…) SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
ICE Deportation Officer SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
Police Officer SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
School Resource Officer SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
Transit Police Officer SOC 33-3051	12,930	$58,070	$76,300
Policy / Management Analyst SOC 13-1111	12,340	$100,660	$96,570

Several jobs can share one occupation code.

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.

Exam practice in South Carolina

Free practice tests for South Carolina's own version of an entrance or licensing exam. National exams are listed on each job page.

Practice test	For these jobs
South Carolina CDL General Knowledge Test Free on Open Exam Prep	Bus Operator (public transit), Fleet Mechanic (city/county), Heavy Equipment Operator (government), Highway / Road Maintenance Worker (DOT), Public Works / Street Maintenance Worker, Sanitation Worker / Refuse Collector, School Bus Driver
South Carolina Bar Examination Free on Open Exam Prep	Administrative Law Judge / Hearing Officer, Government Attorney (agency counsel), Judge / Magistrate, Prosecutor / Assistant District Attorney, Public Defender
South Carolina POST Peace Officer Certification Exam (SCCJA) Free on Open Exam Prep	Campus / University Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer, Transit Police Officer
South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Written Test (Nelson-Denny Reading Test) Free on Open Exam Prep	State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer
South Carolina Water/Wastewater Operator Certification Exam Free on Open Exam Prep	Water / Wastewater Treatment Operator

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.

Government jobs in South Carolina