Wage and hour rules for employees in South Carolina — overtime, minimum wage, meal and rest breaks and the final paycheck — compared with federal law, with links to the official sources.
South Carolina final paycheck
Fired or laid off: Within 48 hours of separation, or by the next regular payday, which may not be more than 30 days away. Quit: Same rule: the statute covers separation 'for any reason'.
Citation: S.C. Code §41-10-50
Federal law Federal law does not require immediate payment of final wages; they are due by the next regular payday.
Same as federal law
- Minimum wage
- No state minimum wage law. The federal minimum wage applies.
- Overtime
- The U.S. Department of Labor lists no state overtime premium for this state; the federal FLSA rule (1.5× after 40 hours a week) applies to covered employers.
- Meal breaks
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s state table lists no meal-period requirement for adult employees in the private sector in this state, so the federal rule applies: meal breaks are not required.
- Rest breaks
- No state requirement for paid rest breaks for adult employees in the private sector (“States not listed do not require paid rest periods” — U.S. Department of Labor). Federal law does not require breaks either; short breaks that are given must be paid.
Find your state labor department (U.S. Department of Labor directory). Data last reviewed September 28, 2026.