South Carolina Minimum Wage & Labor Laws (2026)
In 2026, the South Carolina minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Overtime is 1.5× the regular rate over 40 hours a week. Below are the wage, overtime, final-paycheck and break rules, a calculator pre-set to South Carolina, and how to file a wage claim if you're owed money.
- Overtime
- 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. South Carolina follows the federal FLSA weekly rule.
- Tipped pay
- $2.13/hr cash. Employers may take a tip credit; cash wage plus tips must reach $7.25/hr.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Within 48 hours or next payday, whichever is first (max 30 days). Quit: Within 48 hours or next payday, whichever is first (max 30 days).
- Meal & rest breaks
- Meal: No state requirement (follows federal; none mandated). Rest: No state requirement (none mandated).
South Carolina pay & overtime calculator
Pre-set to South Carolina. Enter your rate and hours.
Your hours
Your pay this week
OT $30.00/hrSouth Carolina follows the FLSA weekly rule: 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
South Carolina figures are current for 2026 and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor and South Carolina's labor department. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Get an email when the South Carolina minimum wage changes
No change is announced yet. We'll email you when one is, with the date and the source.
How to file a wage claim in South Carolina
To recover unpaid wages in South Carolina, file with U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Federal law lets you claim up to 2 years of back pay (3 if the violation was willful), plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Agency
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD). File a wage claim
- Federal window
- 2 years of back pay, or 3 if the violation was willful, plus equal liquidated damages.
- South Carolina adds
- South Carolina allows treble (3×) damages for unpaid wages.
Step by step
- 1Gather your records
Collect pay stubs, time records, schedules and any texts about hours. In South Carolina, your own honest records can carry a claim if the employer's are missing.
- 2Work out what you're owed
The back-pay estimator adds up the unpaid wages and how far back you can recover them.
- 3Send a written demand
Many disputes settle after a dated letter that states the amount owed and the deadline you're giving the employer to pay.
- 4File with U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
If the employer doesn't pay, file a wage claim with the agency below. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer.
- 5Mind the deadline
Federal claims must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Your state may set a shorter deadline for its own process, so don't wait.
South Carolina wage claim questions
Who do I file an unpaid-wage claim with in South Carolina?
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD). You can also sue in court, often with an employment attorney.
How far back can I recover unpaid wages in South Carolina?
Federal law (FLSA) allows 2 years of back pay, or 3 years for a willful violation, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. South Carolina allows treble (3×) damages for unpaid wages.
Can my employer retaliate for filing a wage claim in South Carolina?
No. Federal and state law prohibit firing, demoting or punishing you for asserting your right to be paid. Retaliation is a separate violation you can also claim.