Plumber Salary in Columbia, SC: $53,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Columbia, SC earns a median $53,382/year (≈ $25.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $56,994 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Columbia, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,382. This figure reflects a significant difference when compared to the national median of $65,408, illustrating a notable pay gap for those in the trade locally. The salary range for plumbers in this city spans from $38,968 at the 10th percentile to $77,474 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these numbers indicate a competitive job market where union pipefitters often command higher wages than their non-union counterparts, especially within specialized areas like industrial and medical plumbing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,968 | $18.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,569 | $22.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,382 | $25.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,474 | $37.25 |
Median Salary Position
18.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,506 (2026 est.). At $53,382, the local median is 18.39% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Plumber Pay Compares
Columbia median: $53,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $53,650 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -18.39% less |
Plumbers in Columbia, SC earn a median of $53,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.39% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.50% below the South Carolina state average of $53,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $53,382 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,994 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,460
2025 BLS Actual
$52,070
2026 Current Est.
$53,382
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,727 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 25.6% from $41,460 (2019) to $52,070 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,727 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,267 (32.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $38,968 – $47,569 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,569 – $53,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,382 – $65,900 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,900 – $77,474 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Columbia
With approximately 1,060 plumbers employed in the Columbia area, the local job market remains reasonably strong. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.662, suggesting that residents benefit from a lower cost of living compared to the national average, which can enhance their purchasing power. In terms of pay, union contractors tend to offer the highest salaries, while non-union companies and sole proprietors may provide more variable income, often relying on commission-based structures. The disparity in earnings within the plumbing field is driven by factors such as specialization in high-demand areas like medical gas and backflow prevention, as well as the differences between service and construction work. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Columbia, obtaining a master plumber license, pursuing ongoing education, and exploring opportunities within union environments can be smart strategies.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 $52,070 for plumbersin the Columbia 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
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