South Carolina Per Diem Allowance

Calculate South Carolina’s per diem rate based on GSA guidelines to simplify your business travels.

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With a thriving manufacturing sector, a growing technology industry, and popular tourist destinations along its coast, South Carolina is a frequent location for business travel. From Charleston's historic streets to the state capital of Columbia and the bustling Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach, managing travel expenses effectively is key. 

Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, is the standard method used by federal agencies and many private businesses to simplify reimbursements. This guide provides a detailed overview of the per diem rates applicable in South Carolina, important state laws, and how to automate the entire process for efficiency and compliance.

South Carolina Per Diem Rates

For official travel, per diem rates in South Carolina are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These rates are mandatory for federal employees and are often used as a fair and reasonable benchmark by private companies. The rates vary, with coastal tourist areas often having higher, seasonal rates.

For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates are broken down as follows:

Major Metro Areas 

The state's capital has its own specific Non-Standard Area (NSA) rate.

  • Columbia (Richland & Lexington Counties):
    • M&IE: $74 per day
    • Lodging: A flat rate of $115 per night.

Tourist and High-Cost Areas 

South Carolina's popular coastal destinations have unique, highly seasonal rates.

  • Charleston (Charleston, Berkeley, & Dorchester Counties):
    • M&IE: $92 per day
    • Lodging: Highly seasonal, with rates peaking at $288 per night (March-May) and ranging from $218 to $244 during other months.
    • The first and last day of travel M&IE rate is $69.00.
  • Myrtle Beach (Horry County):
    • M&IE: $74 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $182 per night (June-August).
  • Hilton Head (Beaufort County):
    • M&IE: $80 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $215 per night (June-August).

Standard CONUS Rate 

For any county in South Carolina not specifically listed by the GSA, the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).

South Carolina Per Diem Rate Calculator

To find the precise per diem allowance for your trip anywhere in South Carolina, our calculator provides instant, accurate results based on the official GSA schedule.

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Your per diem allowance

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Lodging (L)
Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
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Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
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*For the first and last day of travel, M&lE spend is limited to 75% of its normal, daily allowance.

South Carolina GSA Lodging Rates

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South Carolina Meals and Incidental Rates

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Some Important South Carolina Per Diem Laws

For private employers, the legal framework in South Carolina regarding expense reimbursement is guided primarily by the employer's own policies and federal law.

  • No State Law Mandating Expense Reimbursement: South Carolina law does not require private employers to reimburse employees for business-related travel expenses. The decision to pay a per diem or reimburse actual costs is based on the employer's internal policy.
  • Written Notice of Policies is Required: A unique aspect of South Carolina law is that if an employer does have a policy to pay wages or other benefits (which would include expense reimbursements), they must notify the employee in writing of such policies at the time of hiring. Any changes to these policies also require written notice. This makes the company's policy a clearly communicated and binding agreement.
  • Federal Minimum Wage Applies: South Carolina does not have its own state minimum wage, so it defaults to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
  • Federal FLSA Protections: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides the primary legal protection for employees. This law ensures that required business expenses paid by an employee do not cause their effective hourly pay to fall below the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage.

South Carolina Per Diem Laws vs Federal Law

The per diem rules for a private company employee in South Carolina are fundamentally different from the GSA system that governs federal employees.

Primary Applicability

  • Federal Law (GSA): Mandatory for all U.S. federal government employees on official business in South Carolina.
  • South Carolina Law: Does not set per diem rates but requires employers who do offer reimbursement to provide a written policy notice to employees, making it an enforceable agreement.

Rate Setting and Usage

  • Federal Law (GSA): The GSA sets specific, non-negotiable per diem rates for various locations in South Carolina that federal agencies must use.
  • South Carolina Law: The state does not set or regulate per diem rates. Private companies have the flexibility to design their own travel reimbursement policies. Using GSA rates is a common business practice for fairness but is not a legal requirement.

Legal Focus

  • Federal Law (GSA): Aims to create a uniform, cost-controlled system for all government travel.
  • South Carolina Law: Focuses on transparency and upholding employment agreements. If a company has a reimbursement policy, it must be communicated in writing.

How Fyle Can Automate Per Diem and Expense Tracking

From the historic charm of Charleston to the state capital in Columbia, managing travel expenses across South Carolina requires a system that is efficient, consistent, and compliant with your company's documented policies. Fyle’s intelligent expense management platform is designed to handle these challenges seamlessly.

Fyle helps you master South Carolina per diem and expense tracking:

  • Automated and Accurate Rate Application: Fyle automatically applies the correct GSA per diem rates for any destination in South Carolina, whether it's for Myrtle Beach, Charleston, or a location covered by the standard rate. It instantly accounts for seasonal changes and the 75% M&IE rule.
  • Enforce Your Written Policy: Since your written policy is the guiding standard in South Carolina, consistent enforcement is crucial. Fyle allows you to build your specific rules directly into the system, automatically flagging any submissions that are out of policy.
  • Real-Time Expense Capture for Travelers: Empower your employees to report expenses on the go. A quick photo of a receipt from Fyle’s mobile app or a forwarded email is all it takes to create an expense entry, eliminating post-trip administrative work.
  • Proactive Compliance Engine: Fyle’s platform checks every expense against your policies before it gets submitted. This saves your finance team countless hours of manual review and ensures every expense report is accurate from the start.
  • IRS-Compliant Mileage Tracking: For employees driving across the state, Fyle’s Google Maps-powered mileage tracker provides an easy and accurate way to log trips for reimbursement.
  • Direct Accounting Integration: Fyle syncs seamlessly with all major accounting software, including NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct. All approved per diem and travel data flows directly into your general ledger, saving time and ensuring financial accuracy.

With Fyle, you can confidently manage your South Carolina travel expense process, ensuring you meet your policy obligations while providing a modern, hassle-free experience for your employees.

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The content on this page is for informational use. As legal standards and per diem rates are subject to change, users should verify current details with official GSA or government resources. This information does not serve as financial or legal counsel.