Plumber Salary in Aiken, SC: $53,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Aiken, SC earns a median $53,224/year (≈ $25.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $58,168 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual plumber salary in Aiken, South Carolina, is set at $53,224. This figure falls significantly below the national median of $65,408, highlighting a pay gap that is influenced largely by the local job market dynamics, particularly between UA union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers. The salary range for plumbers in Aiken spans from $37,932 at the 10th percentile to $82,498 at the 90th percentile, signifying a degree of variability in pay based on experience, specialization, and employment type. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost indices, reflect the competitive landscape where unionized plumbers often earn a premium, thus shaping expectations for aspiring professionals in this field.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,932 | $18.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,079 | $20.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,224 | $25.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,127 | $32.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,498 | $39.66 |
Median Salary Position
18.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,566 (2026 est.). At $53,224, the local median is 18.63% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Plumber Pay Compares
Aiken median: $53,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $53,654 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -18.63% less |
Plumbers in Aiken, SC earn a median of $53,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.63% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $53,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $53,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,168 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,885
2025 BLS Actual
$51,916
2026 Current Est.
$53,224
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,837 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,726 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,085 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,916 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,566 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $44,885 (2019) to $51,916 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,566 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,681 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,932 – $42,079 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,079 – $53,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,224 – $68,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,127 – $82,498 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Aiken
The local plumbing industry in Aiken comprises only four employed plumbers, which indicates a niche market with limited competition but potentially variable employment opportunities. The cost of living index, sitting at 91.5, suggests that while salaries may lag behind national figures, the purchasing power of a plumber's income can still be respectable within the community. In Aiken, union plumbing contractors are typically among the highest payers, followed by larger service companies like Roto-Rooter, while self-employed plumbers may find variable income stemming from job commissions and service contracts. The income spread can be attributed to factors such as union versus non-union status, specialized skills in areas like medical gas, and the nature of employment—service versus industrial work. To maximize pay, plumbers in Aiken should consider obtaining further credentials like a master license, focusing on high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities within unionized work environments where earnings potential is generally higher.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,916 for plumbersin the Aiken metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aiken is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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