South Carolina Nonprofit Executive Jobs: Leadership & Salary Guide
South Carolina’s nonprofit sector runs across three distinct metros, Charleston’s Lowcountry, the Columbia Midlands, and the Greenville Upstate, plus the coast and every county between. If you want to lead a mission-driven organization in the Palmetto State, this guide maps the market: its size, what leadership pays, the major employers, and where to find senior roles.
The South Carolina Nonprofit Power Map
14,418
registered nonprofits statewide
3 metros
Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
Health-led
largest revenues in health systems
Sector figure: statewide nonprofit registrations (2025-2026). South Carolina’s largest nonprofit revenues concentrate in health systems, led by Prisma Health in the Upstate and Midlands and Roper St. Francis in Charleston.
What Nonprofit Leadership Pays in South Carolina
Nonprofit Executive Director, South Carolina: most fall between $93,497 and $120,347, with top earners around $131,483.
The rows below marked to verify should be confirmed against Cause IQ / Form 990 data for comparable South Carolina organizations before you rely on them.
Source: Salary.com, South Carolina statewide, 2026. Charleston runs slightly higher (25th-75th $94,723 to $121,937); Greenville slightly lower ($92,339 to $118,857). South Carolina directors earn roughly 6 percent below national averages.
| Role | South Carolina benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Director / CEO | $93,497 to $120,347 (top ~$131,483) | Salary.com, SC, 2026 |
| Chief Operating Officer | [VERIFY, Cause IQ 990 data] | . |
| Chief Financial Officer | [VERIFY] | . |
| Chief Development / Advancement Officer | [VERIFY] | . |
| Director of Programs | [VERIFY] | . |
| Director of Development | [VERIFY] | . |
| Director of Finance | [VERIFY] | . |
| Human Resources Director | [VERIFY] | . |
| Communications / Marketing Director | [VERIFY] | . |
| Development / Major Gifts Manager | [VERIFY] | . |
Top Nonprofit Employers in South Carolina
Charleston & the Lowcountry
- Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Charleston’s nonprofit health system and a major employer.
- Lowcountry Food Bank and Trident United Way, anchor human-services organizations.
- Spoleto Festival USA and the Gibbes Museum of Art, anchor cultural institutions; the Coastal Community Foundation anchors regional philanthropy.
Columbia & the Midlands
- Harvest Hope Food Bank and United Way of the Midlands, leading human-services organizations.
- Central Carolina Community Foundation, regional philanthropy.
Greenville & the Upstate
- Prisma Health, South Carolina’s largest nonprofit health system, headquartered in the Upstate and Midlands.
- United Way of Greenville County and the Community Foundation of Greenville.
- The Peace Center, Greenville’s anchor performing-arts institution.
A starting list of anchor organizations. Use the directory links below to find specific South Carolina nonprofits and their 990 data.
Recruiters and search partners for South Carolina nonprofit leadership. Start with mission-driven specialists and the state association:
- ExecSearches.com, nonprofit executive job board, career coaching, and search support; post a South Carolina role or browse senior openings.
- The Together SC statewide nonprofit association, for sector connections and its job board.
Recommended reading for your search. Laura Gassner Otting’s work on building a career that is limitless and aligned with your own definition of success pairs well with the practical steps in this guide.
Browse Nonprofit Jobs Across the Southeast
South Carolina leaders often look across the wider region. See our Southeast regional guide and browse current openings on ExecSearches.com.Key Career Resources for South Carolina Nonprofit Leaders
- Together SC, statewide membership, training, and job board.
- Cause IQ, Charleston area nonprofits, 990-based data.
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, South Carolina, searchable 990 filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the nonprofit sector in South Carolina?
South Carolina has about 14,418 registered nonprofit organizations across Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and the rest of the state, with the largest revenues in health systems.What does a nonprofit executive director earn in South Carolina?
Most fall between $93,497 and $120,347, with top earners around $131,483 (Salary.com, 2026). Charleston runs slightly higher and Greenville slightly lower; South Carolina averages about 6 percent below national.Who are the largest nonprofit employers in South Carolina?
Prisma Health leads statewide, with Roper St. Francis in Charleston, plus major human-services organizations like Lowcountry Food Bank, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and the United Ways of each metro.Where should I look for South Carolina nonprofit leadership jobs?
Start with ExecSearches.com for senior nonprofit roles and the Together SC job board, and use ProPublica to research organizations.Leading a mission in the Palmetto State? Post a South Carolina role or explore senior nonprofit openings on ExecSearches.com.
F. Jay Hall, Sr.
Job Search Coach · Executive Search Consultant · Entrepreneur · AI Architecture Consultant
Founder of ExecSearches.com. Building the GRC and nonprofit careers ecosystem with AI as the engine. I love the hunt, and I love helping job seekers find their dream jobs.
