Top 10 Banking and Lending Jobs in South Carolina (+ Salaries)

Published May 5, 2026 9 min read

Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of May 2026.

Your Future in Finance: Top Banking and Lending Careers in South Carolina

South Carolina’s banking and lending sector offers a robust job market with diverse opportunities and competitive salaries. With roles like Banking Branch Manager seeing high demand with over 1,000 active postings, and various positions offering median salaries well over $100,000, there’s a strong pathway for your career growth here. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, the Palmetto State’s financial industry is ripe with potential.

1. Commercial Relationship Manager

A Commercial Relationship Manager is responsible for selling financial products to businesses, establishing new lines of credit and investment accounts, and maintaining strong relationships with existing clients. You’ll develop prospect lists and actively engage with the business community.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $62,531, with a median salary of $108,096, and top earners reaching $158,548. The mean salary is $112,256.
Demand & Growth: Demand is currently low with 71 active postings, but the sector shows a steady growth of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Sales, Communication, Operations, Management, Writing.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Treasury Management.
Certifications that Boost Pay: FINRA Series 52 (Municipal Securities Representative) (3%), FINRA Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law) (3%), FINRA Series 7 (General Securities Representative) (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Southstate Bank Mortgage, GPAC, Umb Financial Corporation, Regions Financial, Huntington Bancshares.
Career Advancement Paths: Director of Business Development (earning an additional $18,430), Investment Banking Partner (earning an additional $40,104).

2. Banking Branch Manager (General)

As a Banking Branch Manager, you’ll oversee the daily operations and business activities of a bank branch. This includes supervising staff, monitoring customer accounts, managing loans or investment activities, ensuring security, and potentially directing local marketing efforts or participating in community events.

Salary Range: Entry-level managers earn around $77,263, the median is $109,194, and top earners can reach $123,570. The mean salary is $105,116.
Demand & Growth: This role is in high demand with 1,044 active postings, and projected growth of 3.3%.
Top Skills: Customer Service, Operations, Management, Leadership, Sales.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Escalation Procedures.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (17%), Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) (5%), Certified Radiology Administrator (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Wells Fargo, Truist Financial, JPMorgan Chase, First Citizens Bank, Woodforest National Bank.
Career Advancement Paths: Financial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $52,522), Mortgage Manager (earning an additional $24,467), Automotive General Manager (earning an additional $38,764).

3. Agricultural Lender

An Agricultural Lender specializes in working with agricultural clients within a bank. Your responsibilities include gathering and analyzing credit information to determine creditworthiness and loan amounts, as well as advising management and the underwriting department on loan approvals.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions typically start at $71,129, with a median salary of $104,004, and top earners reaching $131,052. The mean salary is $102,688.
Demand & Growth: Demand is low with 6 active postings, with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Management, Communication, Decisiveness, Assertiveness, Computer Literacy.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Community Banking.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (17%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Farm Credit Council, Farm Credit Bank Of Texas, Agsouth Farm Credit Aca, Agsouth Farm Credit.
Career Advancement Paths: Commercial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $30,476), Credit Officer (earning an additional $37,078), Business Banker (earning an additional $11,956).

4. Assistant Branch Manager

As an Assistant Branch Manager, you’ll support the Branch Manager in overseeing daily operations at a bank branch or local financial institution office. You’ll assist with staff supervision, monitor customer accounts, loans, investment activities, and ensure security in the manager’s absence.

Salary Range: Entry-level roles start at $57,725, with a median salary of $90,793, and top earners reaching $112,254. The mean salary is $87,320.
Demand & Growth: Demand is medium with 424 active postings, and projected growth of 3.3%.
Top Skills: Sales, Customer Service, Operations, Management, Communication.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Auditing.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (21%), Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) (3%), Real Estate Salesperson License (1%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Republic Finance, Arby’s, JPMorgan Chase, 1St Franklin Financial, Curo Group Holdings Corporation.
Career Advancement Paths: Banking Branch Manager (General) (earning an additional $26,253), Sales Supervisor (General) (earning an additional $12,686), General Manager (earning an additional $34,617).

5. Loan Officer (General)

A Loan Officer helps customers apply for loans and actively solicits loan applications for a bank, mortgage broker, or other lender. You’ll market financial products, provide information on available loans, gather necessary financial and credit information, and guide applicants through the approval process. You might specialize in business, individual, or real estate loans.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions begin around $46,152, the median salary is $60,520, and top earners can make up to $116,787. The mean salary is $78,496.
Demand & Growth: Demand is low with 71 active postings, with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Communication, Sales, Customer Service, Real Estate, Management.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Business Development, Loans.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (24%), Mortgage License (4%), Certified Radiology Administrator (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: United Community Bank, N.A., Hilltop Holdings, GPAC, D.R. Horton, Peoples Bank.
Career Advancement Paths: Agricultural Lender (earning an additional $18,537), Commercial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $49,013), Mortgage Manager (earning an additional $13,208).

6. Loan Administrator / Manager

As a Loan Administrator or Manager, your primary role is to service a loan once it has been approved. This involves sending monthly bills to the recipient, maintaining payment records, and ensuring compliance with the loan agreement throughout its lifecycle.

Salary Range: Entry-level roles start at $56,555, the median salary is $78,622, and top earners can reach $105,018. The mean salary is $77,326.
Demand & Growth: Demand is medium with 117 active postings, with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Operations, Communication, Management, Leadership, Detail Oriented.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Loan Disbursement, Syndicated Finance, Loan Syndication.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (3%), Certified Internal Auditor (3%), Certified Radiology Administrator (2%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Auto Money Title Loans, TD Bank, United Community Bank, N.A., Global Lending Services, Peoples Bank.
Career Advancement Paths: Loan Underwriter (earning an additional $11,101), Agricultural Lender (earning an additional $21,576), Commercial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $52,052).

7. Loan Underwriter

A Loan Underwriter evaluates the risk associated with offering a mortgage or loan to a specific borrower based on set parameters. Your expertise determines whether the lending organization accepts the risk, playing a crucial role in the approval process.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start at $57,778, with a median salary of $64,964, and top earners reaching $117,902. The mean salary is $76,820.
Demand & Growth: Demand is low with 49 active postings, with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Management, Microsoft Office, Customer Service, Writing, Communication.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Finance.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Certified Radiology Administrator (20%), Valid Driver’s License (14%), Mortgage License (10%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: TD Bank, D.R. Horton, Movement Mortgage, Srp Federal Credit Union, First Horizon.
Career Advancement Paths: Commercial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $40,951), Credit Officer (earning an additional $47,553), Investment Underwriter (earning an additional $21,353).

8. Mortgage Underwriter

As a Mortgage Underwriter, you are a financial expert who assesses the lender’s financial risk on a potential borrower. You are ultimately responsible for approving or denying mortgage loans based on your detailed evaluation of financial information.

Salary Range: Entry-level roles begin around $52,578, the median salary is $72,282, and top earners can reach $108,252. The mean salary is $75,919.
Demand & Growth: Demand is low with 36 active postings, with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Communication, Quality Control, Detail Oriented, Management, Sales.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Desktop Underwriter, Retail Mortgage, Credit Analysis.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Direct Endorsement Designation (25%), VA SAR/LAPP Designation (22%), Valid Driver’s License (8%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Truist Financial, Royal Bank of Canada, TEKsystems, First Citizens Bank, Movement Mortgage.
Career Advancement Paths: Mortgage Manager (earning an additional $28,469), Loan Underwriter (earning an additional $23,323), Mortgage Loan Officer (earning an additional $30,372).

9. Mortgage Loan Officer

A Mortgage Loan Officer assists customers applying for mortgage loans and actively solicits applications for banks, mortgage brokers, or credit unions. You’ll provide information on loan types, gather financial and credit details, and guide the application process, often partnering with real estate agents.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions typically start at $46,514, with a median salary of $66,249, and top earners reaching $110,664. The mean salary is $70,856.
Demand & Growth: Demand is medium with 258 active postings, with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Top Skills: Communication, Customer Service, Sales, Organizational Skills, Detail Oriented.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Mortgage Loans.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (19%), Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) (15%), Certified Radiology Administrator (5%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Paramount Residential Mortgage Corp, Gis Field Services, Regions Financial, Royal Bank of Canada, Tag Lending.
Career Advancement Paths: Commercial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $33,902), Financial Relationship Manager (earning an additional $26,152), Business Banker (earning an additional $15,382).

10. Financial Aid Counselor / Specialist

As a Financial Aid Counselor or Specialist, you provide essential information and assistance to students and their families regarding student loans and other sources of financial aid. This includes leading presentations, offering individual counseling, and helping with scholarship applications.

Salary Range: Entry-level roles start at $56,562, with a median salary of $65,622, and top earners reaching $70,623. The mean salary is $64,293.
Demand & Growth: Demand is low with 89 active postings, with a growth rate of 3.1%.
Top Skills: Customer Service, Communication, Detail Oriented, Management, Writing.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Financial Aid Counseling.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (6%), Certificate Of Clinical Competence In Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) (1%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: State of South Carolina, University of South Carolina, Trident Technical College, Southeastern College, Tri-County Technical College.
Career Advancement Paths: Credit / Loan Counselor (earning an additional $6,998), Loan Administrator / Manager (earning an additional $43,736), Loan Documentation Specialist (earning an additional $6,784).

Ready to find your place in South Carolina’s thriving banking and lending industry? Explore these and many more career paths, connect with employers, and showcase your unique talents. Create a free profile on Tallo.com today to start building your future.