2026 Salary — South Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Financial Planner Salary in South Carolina: $88K Median
Financial Planners in South Carolina earn between $57K and $146K per year.
That's -8% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in South Carolina is $88,320 per year — -8% below the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $57,408 (entry, 25th percentile) to $145,728 (90th percentile). South Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$88,320
+410.0% YoY
Entry
$68,890
Experienced
$116,582
Top 10%
$145,728
About Financial Planners in South Carolina
Financial planners help individuals and families plan for retirement, investments, taxes, and estate goals. CFP-track planners deliver holistic, fiduciary-grade advice.
Hot 2026 Skills
CFP designationtax planningestate planningfee-only RIA modelfinancial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital)behavioral finance
ATS Keywords
CFPfinancial planningretirement planninginvestment managementwealth managementfiduciarytax planningestate planningSeries 65client relationships
How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in South Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $78,857.
Leverage Points
- Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
- Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
- CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
- Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer
Negotiate Beyond Base
Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan
Financial Planner Salary FAQ — South Carolina
What is the average Financial Planner salary in South Carolina?
The average Financial Planner salary in South Carolina is $88,320 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $57,408 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $145,728 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Financial Planner pay in South Carolina compare to the US average?
Financial Planners in South Carolina earn approximately 8% less than the US national median ($96,000 nationally vs $88,320 in South Carolina). South Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Financial Planner salaries in South Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in South Carolina grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $17,318 in 2025 to $88,320 in 2026. This reflects the broader Finance sector's wage growth, driven by CFP designation and tax planning demand.
Which South Carolina cities pay Financial Planners the most?
South Carolina has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.
What's the job outlook for Financial Planners in South Carolina?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. South Carolina's top industries include Manufacturing (BMW, Boeing), Tourism, Aerospace, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does South Carolina have state income tax?
Yes, South Carolina has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $88,320, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Financial Planners in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning, fee-only RIA model, financial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital), behavioral finance. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with South Carolina employers.
How can I increase my Financial Planner salary in South Carolina?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Beyond base, negotiate: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off. Walk-away anchor for South Carolina: $78,857.
Methodology
South Carolina Financial Planner salary is the BLS national median ($96,000) adjusted by South Carolina's state multiplier (0.92×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Financial Planner Salary in Other States
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