How much do the top Horry County officials make? Here’s what we learned
Horry County is home to popular beachside communities, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach.
Through a Freedom of Information Act request, The Sun News obtained a copy of the top ten highest government-paid employees for Horry County. In total, the county pays its top employees approximately $2 million dollars, which is slightly above the $1.9 million that the City of Myrtle Beach pays their top ten staff.
- County Administrator Barry Spivey: $243, 240
- Master in Equity Judge Alan Clemmons: $224,891.27
- Deputy Administrator for Public Safety Division Randy Webster: $220,738.88
- Assistant County Administrator David Gilreath: $209,555.52
- Director of Airports Judi Olmstead: $204,726.41
- County Attorney David Jordan: $201,900
- President/CEO Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation Sandy Davis: $186,224.84
- Assistant County Administrator Shannon Todd: $185,000
- Regulatory Services Director Thomas Roth: $175,000
- Sheriff Phillip Thompson: $171,016.73
In comparison, the City of Myrtle Beach pays their top employee, City Manager Fox Simons roughly $30,000 more than Horry County pays Spivey. Myrtle Beach also pays its city attorney, William Bryan, and assistant city manager, Bryan Tucker, more than the county pays employees in the same positions.
This past year, Myrtle Beach gave its top earners raises, bringing the total number of city employees making more than $200,000 from one in 2024 to four in 2025.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
