Effective June 2, 2025, the state's classification and compensation system changed to four pay structures, replacing the previous ten pay bands for classified state employees. Each of the four pay structures comprises pay grades and state salary ranges for each pay grade. The four new structures are General, Clinical, Certified Law Enforcement and Technology.

Existing classified positions were slotted into the four new pay structures. View where the job classifications falls into the state's new classification and compensation system:

Resources:

The state also adopted the compensation philosophy below:

The State of South Carolina seeks to provide compensation for its employees that is appropriately competitive against government entities in the southeast, as well as relevant segments of the broader marketplace for positions of comparable scope and responsibility. Our compensation approach strives to be internally consistent and explainable; and maintains a competitive position in the marketplace. Through this approach, we aspire to be a leader in compensation among public entities in the State.

The compensation plan is structured to attract, retain, motivate, and inspire the level of talent needed to achieve our short- and long-term objectives. Our long-term goal is to clearly communicate our pay approach so that employees understand pay opportunities in their current and future roles. 

Note, classified employees in institutions of higher education and other employees in unclassified positions are not included in the reformed system.