Plumber Salary

Charleston vs Hanahan: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Charleston, SC and Hanahan, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$58,805
$28.28/hr
Hanahan, SC
$53,149
$25.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCHanahan, SC
Median Salary$58,805$53,149
Hourly Rate$28.28$25.55
Entry Level (P10)$40,085$37,697
25th Percentile$50,112$41,928
75th Percentile$66,412$68,031
Top Earner (P90)$76,767$82,382
Total Employed9604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($58,805) and Hanahan ($53,149) plumber salaries.CharlestonHanahanMedian Salary$58,805$53,149Entry Level (P10)$40,085$37,697Top Earner (P90)$76,767$82,382US Median $65,408

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hanahan.

The salary gap between Charleston and Hanahan is $5,656 (10.64%). Charleston's median is -10.10% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $36,682,Hanahan spans $44,685. Hanahan has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$40,085
P25$50,112
Median$58,805
P75$66,412
P90 (Top)$76,767
Hanahan
P10 (Entry)$37,697
P25$41,928
Median$53,149
P75$68,031
P90 (Top)$82,382

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($58,245 effective) pays 0.27% more than Hanahan ($58,086 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $58,805
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $58,245
Hanahan
Nominal: $53,149
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $58,086

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,805/year)
  • Larger job market (960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,245)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Hanahan if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,382)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Charleston grew 18.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Hanahan over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+18.3%

$48,470 (2019) → $57,360 (2025)

Hanahan, SC

+10.0%

$47,114 (2024) → $51,843 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Charleston or Hanahan?

Charleston has a higher median plumber salary at $58,805/year, compared to Hanahan at $53,149/year — a difference of $5,656 (10.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Hanahan?

Charleston plumbers earn $28.28/hr while Hanahan hygienists earn $25.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Hanahan as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Hanahan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $58,245, Hanahan = $58,086), job availability (960 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Charleston vs Hanahan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $40,085 in Charleston and $37,697 in Hanahan. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov