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Surveyors Salary in South Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Surveyors salary really buy you in South Carolina?

South Carolina is 6.4% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$63,300
Median annual (2025)
+6.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$67,628
COL-adjusted (RPP=93.6)

South Carolina Cost of Living Index

South Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 93.6, meaning prices are 6.4% lower the national average. A Surveyors earning $63,300 in South Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $67,628 in an average-cost US state.

SC: 93.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $44,710 $47,767 +$3,057
25th Percentile (P25) $50,610 $54,070 +$3,460
Median (P50) $63,300 $67,628 +$4,328
75th Percentile (P75) $83,410 $89,113 +$5,703
90th Percentile (P90) $100,360 $107,222 +$6,862
Key Insight

A Surveyors in South Carolina earns $63,300 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 7% further — like earning $67,628 in an average-cost state. This makes South Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 93.6

With an RPP of 93.6, South Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Surveyors is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+6.8%

After applying South Carolina's RPP, the $63,300 median salary translates to $67,628 in real terms — a 6.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Surveyors.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#42 / 50

South Carolina ranks #42 of 50 — bottom quartile for Surveyors real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Surveyors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Surveyors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$97,598
RPP 102.0
2. Montana
$93,698
RPP 90.3
$93,626
RPP 112.5
4. Oregon
$91,060
RPP 106.6
$89,470
RPP 88.7
6. Wyoming
$88,411
RPP 91.9
$87,715
RPP 88.0
8. Indiana
$87,701
RPP 91.8
9. Iowa
$87,205
RPP 88.4
$86,462
RPP 109.4

South Carolina ranks #42 out of 50 states for Surveyors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Surveyors take-home pay in South Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Surveyors in South Carolina after cost of living?

A Surveyors in South Carolina earns a median salary of $63,300 per year. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (RPP=93.6), the real purchasing power is $67,628 — a +6.8% difference.

Is South Carolina expensive to live in?

South Carolina's cost of living is 6.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Carolina is 93.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Surveyors in South Carolina: $63,300 x (100 / 93.6) = $67,628. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Surveyors in South Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Surveyors in South Carolina enjoys 6.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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