Compensation Rates
The South Carolina Employment Security Commission has certified that the average weekly wage in South Carolina for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 was $689.71. Accordingly, for accidents that occur on or after January 1, 2010, the maximum weekly compensation rate, which according to Section 42-9-10 is to be “no more than the average weekly wage in this State for the preceding fiscal year,” shall be $689.71.
This raises the maximum weekly compensation rate by $8.35, 1% greater than the 2009 rate of $681.36. An individual’s compensation rate equals 66⅔% of an individual’s average weekly wage, not to exceed the average weekly wage in South Carolina as determined by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission. In terms of total disability for 500 weeks, the maximum compensation award for 2010 will be $344,855. Generally, an individual must have earned $53,797 annually ($1034.56 weekly) or more during the four quarters immediately preceding the quarter in which an accident occurs in order to be paid at the maximum compensation rate.
Compensations Rates Since 1978
|
1/1/09 |
$681.36 |
|
1/1/08 |
$661.29 |
|
1/1/07 |
$645.94 |
|
1/1/06 |
$616.48 |
|
1/1/05 |
$592.56 |
|
1/1/04 |
$577.73 |
|
1/1/03 |
$563.55 |
|
1/1/02 |
$549.42 |
|
1/1/01 |
$532.77 |
|
1/1/00 |
$507.34 |
|
1/1/99 |
$483.47 |
|
1/1/98 |
$465.18 |
|
1/1/97 |
$450.62 |
|
1/1/96 |
$437.79 |
|
1/1/95 |
$422.48 |
|
1/1/94 |
$410.26 |
|
1/1/93 |
$393.06 |
|
1/1/92 |
$379.82 |
|
1/1/91 |
$364.37 |
|
1/1/90 |
$350.19 |
|
1/1/89 |
$334.87 |
|
1/1/88 |
$319.20 |
|
1/1/87 |
$308.24 |
|
1/1/86 |
$294.95 |
|
1/1/85 |
$287.02 |
|
1/1/84 |
$268.99 |
|
1/1/83 |
$254.38 |
|
1/1/82 |
$235.00 |
|
1/1/81 |
$216.00 |
|
1/1/80 |
$197.00 |
|
1/1/79 |
$185.00 |
|
Effective January 1, 2010 |
50 cents per mile |
|
Effective July 1, 2008 |
50.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective August 23, 2004
Commission policy was changed to include mileage to and from the pharmacy
|
34.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective January 1, 2001 |
34.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective January 1, 2000 |
32.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective April 1, 1999 |
31 cents per mile |
|
Effective July 1, 1998 |
32.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective July 1, 1997 |
31.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective July 1, 1990 |
25.5 cents per mile |
|
Effective July 1, 1986 |
21 cents per mile |
|
Effective July 1, 1984 |
20.5 cents per mile |

Lake Jocassee
Photo courtesy of SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
www.discoversc.com
1-803-734-1700