Plumber Salary in South Carolina: $54,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $54,253/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $59,293 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($58,583), Charleston ($57,360), Florence ($56,160).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in South Carolina is projected to be $54,254, which is significantly lower than the national median of $65,408, reflecting a gap of 17.1%. Within the state, salaries vary widely across different cities. North Charleston offers the highest average salary at $60,059, while Conway is the lowest at $48,645, representing a difference of $11,414. This variation may be driven by factors such as local demand for services, living costs, and competition among employers. South Carolina's state licensing requirements for plumbers include obtaining a residential or commercial license, which emphasizes the importance of meeting specific educational and experience benchmarks. The growing housing market and infrastructure development in urban areas contribute to demand for plumbing services, supporting a projected annual growth rate of 2.52% in employment. Overall, with a total of 4,371 plumbers employed in the state and strong urban centers like Charleston ($58,805), Florence ($57,575), Hilton Head Island ($56,253), and Bluffton ($55,183), the job market outlook remains positive for aspiring plumbers in South Carolina.
South Carolina Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $35,348 (lowest entry-level) to $93,092 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina plumbers earn 17.05% less than the national median ($-11,155/year difference).
South Carolina Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in South Carolina range from $38,581 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,285 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $54,253. The South Carolina median is $11,155 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $26.08/hr. Approximately 4,371 plumbers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,251
2025 BLS Actual
$52,920
2026 Current Est.
$54,253
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,251 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,874 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,012 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,374 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 16.9% from $45,251 (2019) to $52,920 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,369 (22.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $48,645 |
| Clemson | $49,427 |
| Tega Cay | $49,519 |
| Myrtle Beach | $49,558 |
| Easley | $49,794 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $57,575 | 86.774 | $66,351 |
| North Charleston | $60,059 | 91.5 | $65,638 |
| Bluffton | $55,183 | 91.5 | $60,309 |
| Mount Pleasant | $54,462 | 91.5 | $59,521 |
| Spartanburg | $53,967 | 91.051 | $59,271 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,581 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $54,253 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,285 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $60,059 |
| 2 | Charleston | $58,805 |
| 3 | Florence | $57,575 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $56,253 |
| 5 | Bluffton | $55,183 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $54,462 |
| 7 | Spartanburg | $53,967 |
| 8 | Rock Hill | $53,459 |
| 9 | Greer | $53,430 |
| 10 | Columbia | $53,382 |
| 11 | Anderson | $53,377 |
| 12 | Aiken | $53,224 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $53,149 |
| 14 | Mauldin | $52,837 |
| 15 | Summerville | $52,553 |
| 16 | Greenville | $52,172 |
| 17 | Sumter | $52,121 |
| 18 | Simpsonville | $51,686 |
| 19 | Fort Mill | $51,663 |
| 20 | Goose Creek | $51,541 |
| 21 | Lexington | $50,698 |
| 22 | Easley | $49,794 |
| 23 | Myrtle Beach | $49,558 |
| 24 | Tega Cay | $49,519 |
| 25 | Clemson | $49,427 |
| 26 | Conway | $48,645 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore plumber hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced plumbers.
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in South Carolina?
How many plumbers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for plumbers?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov