How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Carolina employs about 19,980 bookkeepers earning a median $47,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in South Carolina.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in South Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
154.3$3,390 in-state / $5,958 out-of-state$47,29951%Yes*150 mi
251.3$5,071 in-state / $10,135 out-of-state$48,99128%Yes*111 mi
350.1$3,388 in-state / $5,956 out-of-state$40,63543%Yes*111 mi
449.8$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state$47,26539%Yes*170 mi
548.8$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state$44,29342%Yes*120 mi
646.8$4,448 in-state / $11,815 out-of-state$54,25542%Yes*132 mi
746.8$3,380 in-state / $5,948 out-of-state$37,26565%Yes*131 mi
845.7$3,400 in-state / $5,968 out-of-state$44,62138%Yes*141 mi
945.4$4,282 in-state / $7,492 out-of-state$43,46931%Yes*78 mi
1035.2$5,664 in-state / $6,024 out-of-state$36,01721%—81 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Carolina employs approximately 19,980 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,940 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in South Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school or community college
  • Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
  • Median wage (South Carolina): $47,940 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Carolina

How to become a Bookkeeper in South Carolina? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in South Carolina.

How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in South Carolina varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do bookkeepers earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in South Carolina is $47,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,370 and experienced professionals can earn $68,870 or more 1.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Carolina

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Carolina training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in South Carolina that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in South Carolina before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia11,740$50,800$53,170$36,810$74,290
Greenville-Anderson-Greer3,770$49,600$50,810$33,930$70,350
Charleston-North Charleston3,350$50,400$53,290$35,870$73,200
Columbia3,260$46,690$48,770$33,770$67,080
Augusta-Richmond County1,640$46,450$48,250$32,410$66,930
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach1,370$46,790$48,790$32,400$66,930
Spartanburg1,150$48,480$49,750$34,740$65,090
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal850$50,250$52,930$35,180$73,500
Florence730$45,300$46,240$30,970$62,960
Sumter280$43,810$46,240$29,130$66,080

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 19,980 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina.

How much do bookkeepers earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in South Carolina is $47,940, which is $1,270 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.

In South Carolina

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in South Carolina

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)