Truck Driver Salary in South Carolina
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in South Carolina. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$54,800
CDL-B Avg
$44,200
Non-CDL Avg
$37,800
Owner-Op Gross
$190,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How South Carolina truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in South Carolina
South Carolina's cost of living is 9% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$54,800
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$60,220
After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living index of 91, a CDL-A salary of $54,800 provides the same purchasing power as $60,220 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in South Carolina than the raw salary suggests.
Top Paying Cities in South Carolina
These cities offer the highest average truck driver salaries in South Carolina based on freight volume, distribution center density, and local demand.
Salary Trend in South Carolina
South Carolina trucking wages are rising as the Port of Charleston undergoes major expansion and the Upstate I-85 corridor attracts automotive manufacturing (BMW, Volvo) and distribution centers.
South Carolina vs National Average
| Category | SC | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $54,800 | $58,710 | $-3,910 |
| Cost of Living | 91 | 100 | -9 |
| Adjusted Pay | $60,220 | $58,710 | +$1,510 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in South Carolina
What is the average truck driver salary in South Carolina?
South Carolina CDL-A drivers average $54,800. Charleston drivers earn the most ($60,200) thanks to the expanding Port of Charleston and its growing container operations.
How is the Port of Charleston affecting trucking jobs?
The Port of Charleston's new Hugh Leatherman terminal is dramatically increasing container capacity. This expansion creates port drayage, regional, and local trucking jobs throughout the Lowcountry.
What industries drive South Carolina trucking?
Automotive manufacturing (BMW in Spartanburg, Volvo in Ridgeville), port freight in Charleston, tire manufacturing (Michelin in Greenville), and the growing distribution center corridor along I-85 and I-26.