Plumber Salary in North Charleston, SC: $60,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in North Charleston, SC earns a median $60,059/year (≈ $28.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a plumber salary in North Charleston is projected to reach a median annual figure of $60,059, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,408, placing local earnings about 8.18% below the national average. The salary range for this profession extends from $38,655 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $93,092 at the upper end (90th percentile), demonstrating the pay disparities influenced by skill level, specialization, and employment type. While self-employed contractors may benefit from higher earning potential through specialized work or private contracts, employed service plumbers often enjoy more stable incomes and job security. This dynamic illustrates the balance plumbers in North Charleston must strike between the risks and rewards of self-employment versus the predictability of being part of a larger company.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,655 | $18.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,503 | $23.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,059 | $28.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,876 | $36.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,092 | $44.76 |
Median Salary Position
8.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,437 (2026 est.). At $60,059, the local median is 8.18% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Charleston Plumber Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $60,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $53,672 | +11.90% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -8.18% less |
Plumbers in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $60,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.18% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 11.90% above the South Carolina state average of $53,672.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston 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.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $60,059 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,638 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,650
2025 BLS Actual
$58,583
2026 Current Est.
$60,059
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,984 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,176 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,517 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $50,650 (2019) to $58,583 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,923 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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) | $38,655 – $48,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,503 – $60,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,059 – $76,876 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,876 – $93,092 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in North Charleston
In North Charleston, the job market for plumbers shows signs of stability, with only 22 plumbers currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, indicating a below-average expense environment for residents, which enhances the purchasing power of the local plumber pay compared to more expensive markets. Various employers contribute to salary differences, with union plumbing contractors generally providing higher wages, as they benefit from specialized training and collective bargaining agreements that result in premiums. Additionally, industrial maintenance teams are known to compensate well for specific skills, such as medical gas and backflow prevention, which demand rigorous certification and experience. To maximize earnings, plumbers should consider obtaining necessary licenses, such as a master or contractor license, and seek opportunities in high-demand specialties or take on commission-based roles in service companies, where overtime and call-out jobs can significantly boost pay.
More salary data for North Charleston, 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 $58,583 for plumbersin the North Charleston 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 North Charleston 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