How Much Does a Home Health Aide Make in South Carolina in 2026?

A typical Home Health Aide in South Carolina earns about $14.48 per hour ($30,110 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down into predictable earnings, that annual figure translates to roughly $2,509 per month. On a shorter schedule, it equals about $579 per week, calculated directly from the annual total. These figures reflect steady full-time schedules across local home care employers.

South Carolina pays 16% below the national typical wage of $35,800 per year, or $17.21 hourly. Lower wages in the state generally track lower local living costs compared to national figures. The state ranks 41st among all 51 states and territories for aide compensation. A statewide workforce of 40,750 aides contributes to the 4,305,810 home care positions nationwide.

Entry-level positions in South Carolina typically offer around $11.35 per hour, which equals $23,600 per year. New caregivers entering home health agencies or private duty registries often start near this baseline. As aides build foundational caregiving skills and client familiarity over a few years, wages move steadily toward the statewide typical figure of $30,110 annually. This progression rewards dependable service and routine personal care experience.

Experienced caregivers often earn upwards of $16.33 per hour, or $33,960 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $17.11 per hour, which equates to $35,590 per year. The statewide spread between entry-level pay and top earners is $11,990. Differences in clinical settings, specialized dementia training, years of continuous service, and metropolitan location separate these compensation tiers.

Over the past six years of tracked government records, South Carolina compensation grew from $21,950 in 2019 to $30,110 in 2025. That trajectory represents a cumulative dollar gain of $8,160. Overall, statewide pay achieved a 37% rise during this period. Annual increases occurred steadily across each reporting cycle as local healthcare providers adjusted base wage scales.

South Carolina's growth trailed the national decade rise of 42% over the same timeframe. While national wage adjustments expanded at a slightly faster pace, local earnings still demonstrated consistent upward momentum. For someone entering the field now, pay has moved up over time, though past trends make no guarantees for future compensation gains.

Metro area figures reflect entire regional commuting zones rather than individual municipal borders. Home care wages reach their highest level in Charleston, where aides see typical compensation of $34,100 per year, or $16.40 hourly. That rate sits 13% above the statewide figure. Nearby North Charleston shares these identical earnings, providing the strongest compensation market for home aides in the state.

At the other end of the spectrum, Sumter reports the lowest typical wage at $28,030 annually, or $13.48 per hour. This creates a geographic spread of $6,070 between the highest and lowest paying markets in South Carolina. The Gastonia metropolitan area employs the largest workforce with 13,520 aides earning $33,680 annually ($16.19 hourly). Areas with lower earnings generally feature more modest local housing and everyday living expenses.

South Carolina's typical annual pay of $30,110 places it between its immediate regional neighbors. To the north, North Carolina pays $31,240, which is 4% higher than the South Carolina benchmark. To the south and west, Georgia reports a typical wage of $29,270, sitting 3% lower than South Carolina. Aides living near state borders may explore options across state lines, as licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

South Carolina home health aides currently earn a typical annual wage of $30,110, reflecting a 37% rise over recent years. While statewide earnings trail national figures, regional markets offer distinct financial advantages. Caregivers planning their careers should visit the state licensing or registry page to review qualification requirements, and consult specific city pages to examine detailed neighborhood wage data.