The South Carolina Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay. The federal rate is a baseline, and states, cities, and regions can set their own.

South Carolina follows the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour. Local cities and counties follow this amount and do not set their own higher rates.

A tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can pay workers who earn a significant share of their income from tips.

South Carolina follows federal law (the FLSA), which sets a minimum cash wage of $2.13 for tipped employees. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 per hour if the employee's tips plus cash wage equal the $7.25 minimum wage.

South Carolina has no overtime law of its own. Employers must follow the federal FLSA, which requires non-exempt employees to be paid time and a half for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek.

South Carolina wage and hour laws generally do not require employers to provide a meal period or rest breaks, so the federal rule applies.

The federal rule does not require a meal period or breaks. If an employer chooses to offer them, breaks (usually less than 20 minutes) must be paid. Meal or lunch periods (usually 30 minutes or more) do not have to be paid, as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties and free to do as they wish during the period.

Vacation leave

South Carolina does not require private employers to provide paid time off. Employers can choose to offer vacation leave at their discretion.

Sick leave

South Carolina has no state law requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave.

Holidays

South Carolina law does not require employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave.

Minors under 14

Minors under 14 are generally prohibited from working. Employment of a minor under 14 is considered "oppressive child labor." Exemptions include work in agriculture, acting in theater or film, delivering newspapers, or working for a parent in a non-hazardous business they own.

Minors ages 14 and 15

• School days: up to 3 hours per day (18 hours per week) between 7 AM and 7 PM.
• Non-school days: up to 8 hours per day (40 hours per week) between 7 AM and 7 PM.
• Hours extend to 9 PM only during summer break (June 1st through Labor Day).

Minors ages 16 and 17

• No restrictions on hours or times of day worked.
• Restricted from hazardous occupations as defined by the 17 Federal Hazardous Occupations Orders.

Hazardous occupations for workers under 18

• Jobs involving explosives (manufacturing or storage).
• Motor vehicle driving and outside helper.
• Coal mining.
• Logging and sawmilling.
• Power-driven woodworking, hoisting, or metal-forming machines.
• Radioactive substances.
• Slaughtering, meat-packing, or processing.
• Power-driven bakery machines.
• Power-driven paper product machines (including balers and compactors).
• Roofing, wrecking, and excavation operations.