COLUMBIA, S.C. — State law enforcement, health care workers, road maintenance crews, and other employees of South Carolina’s various state agencies are all on track to get a pay bump as part of a proposal in the House of Representatives’ proposed budget.
House Reps passed their version of the state spending plan earlier this month, including $66.5 million for pay raises for state employees, after a 2024 study found the state is falling behind others in compensation. The boost would cost the state $66.5 million dollars.
A study from the Department of Administration found that the state’s base pay is 15% below the market median. Supporters of the raises argue that without better wages, South Carolina risks losing employees to neighboring states and the private sector…