2026 Salary — South Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Physician Salary in South Carolina: $211K Median
Physicians in South Carolina earn between $161K and $368K per year.
That's -8% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in South Carolina is $210,956 per year — -8% below the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $161,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $368,000 (90th percentile). South Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$210,956
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$184,000
Experienced
$322,000
Top 10%
$368,000
About Physicians in South Carolina
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency
ATS Keywords
MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in South Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $191,778.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Physician Salary FAQ — South Carolina
What is the average Physician salary in South Carolina?
The average Physician salary in South Carolina is $210,956 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $161,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $368,000 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Physician pay in South Carolina compare to the US average?
Physicians in South Carolina earn approximately 8% less than the US national median ($229,300 nationally vs $210,956 in South Carolina). South Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Physician salaries in South Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in South Carolina grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $31,963 in 2025 to $210,956 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
Which South Carolina cities pay Physicians 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 Physicians in South Carolina?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. 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 $210,956, 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 Physicians in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. 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 Physician salary in South Carolina?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for South Carolina: $191,778.
Methodology
South Carolina Physician salary is the BLS national median ($229,300) adjusted by South Carolina's state multiplier (0.92×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Physician Salary in Other States
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