How much does a Real Estate Agent make in South Carolina?

BLS puts the average Real Estate Agent pay in South Carolina at $79,100 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 $61,548 annually ($5,129/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Real Estate Agent in South Carolina?

On a $79,100 salary in South Carolina, your take-home pay is approximately $61,548/year or $5,129/month. Federal tax: $8,572. State tax: $2,929. FICA: $6,051.

Is $79,100 a good Real Estate Agent salary?

$79,100 is the BLS average Real Estate Agent pay in South Carolina, 14% above the US average of $69,510 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in South Carolina earn between $39,990 and $97,470.

How do South Carolina taxes affect Real Estate Agent salaries?

South Carolina levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $79,100 is $2,929. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 22.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Real Estate Agents?

In South Carolina, the top 10% earn over $189,590 and the bottom 10% under $36,530 (BLS, May 2025). 3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average); top 20% earn 3-5x median. Related roles include: Realtor, Real Estate Broker, Buyer's Agent, Listing Agent, Luxury Specialist, Commercial Real Estate Agent.

How can a Real Estate Agent 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.

Sales

Real Estate Agent Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Average Real Estate Agent pay in South Carolina

$79,100/year

≈ $38/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $39,990–$97,470

US average: $69,510

Source: BLS, May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents

After tax (single filer)

$61,548/year

$5,129/month · effective tax rate 22.19%

Federal $8,572
State $2,929
FICA $6,051
Take-home

Pay by role in South Carolina

Top-Producing / Luxury Agent (Charleston metro)BLS · Charleston-North Charleston, SC · 75th–90th percentile$83,980–$128,090
Top-Producing / Luxury Agent (Hilton Head Island metro)BLS · Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC · 75th–90th percentile$102,210–$195,880
Top-Producing / Luxury AgentBLS · 75th–90th percentile$97,470–$189,590
Real Estate Agent (any market)BLS · middle 50%$39,990–$97,470
Real Estate Agent (any market) (Columbia metro)BLS · Columbia, SC · middle 50%$37,630–$68,590
New AgentBLS · 10th–25th percentile$36,530–$39,990

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$61,548
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,129
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,367
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$30/hr
Federal Tax	$8,572
State Tax	$2,929
FICA Taxes	$6,051
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	22.19%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Real Estate Agents earn the same — not even close

South Carolina's real estate agent market is anchored by Charleston-Mount Pleasant Lowcountry (Mount Pleasant + Daniel Island + Sullivan's Island + James Island + Kiawah Island + Seabrook Island + Isle of Palms + the substantial Charleston historic + Lowcountry luxury + the substantial Boeing + Volvo + Mercedes-Benz Vans + post-2020 Charleston population growth + the substantial post-2020 retirement migration), Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Lowcountry (Sea Pines + Palmetto Dunes + Spanish Wells + Wexford + the substantial Hilton Head Island resort + Bluffton growth + Beaufort + the substantial Lowcountry retirement community), Greenville-Spartanburg Upstate (Cleveland Park + Augusta Road + the substantial Greenville historic + the substantial Michelin HQ + BMW Spartanburg + Bob Jones + Furman corporate executive market + the substantial Greenville post-2020 boom), Columbia-Lexington Midlands (the substantial Columbia state government + USC + BlueCross BlueShield SC + Fort Jackson + Lake Murray waterfront + the substantial Columbia metro), Myrtle Beach-Grand Strand (Pawleys Island + Pinehurst + the substantial Grand Strand tourism + retirement + the substantial Myrtle Beach golf + beach community), Aiken (the substantial Savannah River Site DOE + Aiken horse country + the substantial Aiken-Augusta GA cross-border), plus substantial SC commercial real estate + the substantial SC agricultural land transactions.

Top-Producing / Luxury Agent (Charleston metro)

$83,980–$128,090

Charleston Mount Pleasant + Daniel Island + Kiawah Island + Sullivan Island luxury · 3% commission

Source: BLS May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents · Charleston-North Charleston, SC · 75th–90th percentile

Top-Producing / Luxury Agent (Hilton Head Island metro)

$102,210–$195,880

Hilton Head Island Sea Pines + Palmetto Dunes + Bluffton + Beaufort luxury + retirement

Source: BLS May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents · Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC · 75th–90th percentile

Top-Producing / Luxury Agent

$97,470–$189,590

Charleston + Greenville + Columbia commercial brokerage · CRE deals + leasing + investment + CCIM

Source: BLS May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents · South Carolina · 75th–90th percentile

Real Estate Agent (any market)

$39,990–$97,470

Senior buyer agent · Charleston + Greenville + Columbia + Myrtle Beach · relo + retirement migration

Source: BLS May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents · South Carolina · middle 50%

Real Estate Agent (any market) (Columbia metro)

$37,630–$68,590

Columbia + Lexington + Lake Murray + the substantial state government + Fort Jackson relo

Source: BLS May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents · Columbia, SC · middle 50%

New Agent

$36,530–$39,990

New Realtor · SC Real Estate Commission licensed + brokerage sponsor + SC Realtors member

Source: BLS May 2025 · Real Estate Sales Agents · South Carolina · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: South Carolina's substantial Charleston-Mount Pleasant luxury + Hilton Head Sea Pines retirement + Myrtle Beach Grand Strand tourism + post-2020 retirement migration is a distinctive SC Realtor feature most national real estate surveys understate. The country's substantial South Carolina post-2020 retirement migration (the substantial post-2020 NE + Midwest retirement migration to SC Lowcountry + Upstate + Grand Strand + the substantial SC top-5 US retirement destination + the substantial SC favorable retirement tax — full Social Security + first $10K of /IRA + first $15K of pension exempt for 65+) drove substantial SC Realtor transaction velocity. Charleston-Mount Pleasant luxury market (Mount Pleasant + Daniel Island + Sullivan's Island + Kiawah Island + Seabrook Island + Isle of Palms + ~$1M-$8M+ historic + waterfront homes + the substantial post-2020 Charleston population growth + the substantial Boeing + Volvo + Mercedes-Benz Vans corporate relo + the substantial Charleston Historic District + Battery historic luxury) supports a distinctive SC luxury Realtor specialty — senior Charleston luxury listing agents clear $85-245K+ commission. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton market (Sea Pines + Palmetto Dunes + Spanish Wells + the substantial Hilton Head Island resort + Bluffton growth + the substantial Hilton Head retirement community) supports specialized resort + retirement Realtor work. The country's substantial Myrtle Beach Grand Strand tourism + retirement market (the substantial Myrtle Beach golf + beach community + the substantial Pawleys Island + Pinehurst + the substantial Grand Strand vacation rental + retirement migration) supports specialized vacation rental + retirement Realtor specialty. Greenville-Spartanburg luxury (Cleveland Park + Augusta Road + the substantial Greenville historic + the substantial Michelin HQ + BMW Spartanburg executive wealth + the substantial Greenville post-2020 boom) supports substantial Upstate luxury Realtor work. South Carolina Association of Realtors + Greater Charleston Association of Realtors + Greater Greenville Association of Realtors + Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors + Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors Myrtle Beach + the substantial SC MLS access. SC Real Estate Commission licensing requires 90 hours pre-license + 30 hours post-license + 8 hours continuing education annually. SC's 5.21% top rate (H.4216, 2026) + no state estate tax + SC RTW since 1954 + the substantial SC retirement tax benefits anchor the SC Realtor proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Real Estate Agents 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

1099 tax calculator → · self-employment tax 15.3%
Capital-gains calculator → · long-term rates, NIIT, state tax
Bonus calculator → · year-end, sign-on, retention
South Carolina paycheck calculator → · 401(k), HSA, dependents

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