How much does a Psychologist make in South Carolina?

BLS puts the average Psychologist pay in South Carolina at $91,790 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in South Carolina, after federal taxes, FICA, and South Carolina state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $69,634 annually ($5,803/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Psychologist in South Carolina?

On a $91,790 salary in South Carolina, your take-home pay is approximately $69,634/year or $5,803/month. Federal tax: $11,364. State tax: $3,771. FICA: $7,022.

Is $91,790 a good Psychologist salary?

$91,790 is the BLS average Psychologist pay in South Carolina, 19% below the US average of $112,750 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in South Carolina earn between $65,000 and $105,770.

How do South Carolina taxes affect Psychologist salaries?

South Carolina levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $91,790 is $3,771. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 24.1%.

What are the career growth prospects for Psychologists?

In South Carolina, the top 10% earn over $131,420 and the bottom 10% under $59,600 (BLS, May 2025). 6% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, School Psychologist, Neuropsychologist.

How can a Psychologist in South Carolina reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Psychologist Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Average Psychologist pay in South Carolina

$91,790/year

≈ $44/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $65,000–$105,770

US average: $112,750

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$69,634/year

$5,803/month · effective tax rate 24.14%

Federal $11,364
State $3,771
FICA $7,022
Take-home

Pay by role in South Carolina

Senior Clinical Psychologist (Academic)$115,000–$185,000
Senior Clinical Psychologist (Health System)$105,000–$155,000
Senior Neuropsychologist$118,000–$185,000
Senior Inpatient Psychologist$108,000–$165,000
Senior Pediatric Psychologist$105,000–$155,000
Senior Addiction Psychologist$108,000–$165,000

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$69,634
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,803
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,678
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$33/hr
Federal Tax	$11,364
State Tax	$3,771
FICA Taxes	$7,022
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	24.14%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Psychologists earn the same — not even close

South Carolina's psychologist market is anchored by MUSC Charleston Psychiatry + Psychology (the only OR academic medical center psychiatry department with substantial clinical + research mix), Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital Anderson (largest SC state psychiatric hospital), Three Rivers Behavioral Health West Columbia + Charter Healthcare SC sites, Springbrook Behavioral Health Travelers Rest, Prisma Health Behavioral Health, MUSC Charleston Center for Drug + Alcohol Programs, plus substantial Charleston + Greenville + Columbia private practice and U of South Carolina + Clemson + College of Charleston psychology programs.

Senior Clinical Psychologist (Academic)

$115,000–$185,000

MUSC Psychiatry · academic + clinical research mix · publication track

Senior Clinical Psychologist (Health System)

$105,000–$155,000

Prisma Health · Roper · MUSC · integrated medical psychology

Senior Neuropsychologist

$118,000–$185,000

MUSC + Prisma + Roper · neuropsych testing + post-stroke + dementia + TBI evaluation

Senior Inpatient Psychologist

$108,000–$165,000

Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric · Three Rivers · Charter · inpatient acute psychiatric care

Senior Pediatric Psychologist

$105,000–$155,000

Children's of MUSC · Prisma Children's · pediatric developmental specialty

Senior Addiction Psychologist

$108,000–$165,000

MUSC Center for Drug + Alcohol · Springbrook Travelers Rest · Charter SC · MAT + IOP specialty

Senior Forensic Psychologist

$115,000–$185,000

Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric · SC Department of Mental Health · court evaluations

Senior Psychologist (Private Practice)

$115,000–$195,000

Charleston + Greenville + Columbia private practice + group practice · PsyPact multi-state

Mid-Career Licensed Psychologist (3-7 yrs)

$78,000–$115,000

Functional licensed psychologist · transitioning to senior band · post-licensure 2+ yrs

Post-Doctoral Fellow / Pre-Licensure

$48,000–$62,000

Pre-licensure post-doc · MUSC + Prisma + USC post-doctoral fellowships

Worth knowing: MUSC Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs Charleston is one of the country's most established academic addiction treatment programs and a feature most national psychology-career surveys understate for SC. MUSC CDAP (founded 1972 as one of the country's earlier academic addiction medicine programs, now part of MUSC's National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center + the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs + the Addiction Sciences Division of MUSC Psychiatry) operates substantial addiction research + clinical treatment supporting senior addiction psychologists at $108-165K TC. MUSC Psychiatry is the only OR academic medical center psychiatry department in SC with substantial research + clinical mix — MUSC Psychiatry's research portfolio includes substantial NIH-funded PTSD + substance use disorder + mood disorder research. Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital Anderson (~150-bed state-run psychiatric facility) anchors SC inpatient psychiatric care + forensic psychology practice. SC joined PsyPact in 2019 — supporting SC psychologists across compact-state lines via telepsychology, important specialty for the Hilton Head + Myrtle Beach retiree market with snowbird patient caseloads. SC's 5.21% top rate (H.4216, 2026) applies above $30,000 of SC taxable income, so it reaches nearly all senior clinical + private-practice psychology comp — and it is far below OR/MN's 9.85-9.9% tops. SC has NO state estate tax + RTW + lower cost of living supports senior psychology private practice retention.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Psychologists in South Carolina and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and South Carolina 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers