Plumber Salary in Rock Hill, SC: $53,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Rock Hill, SC earns a median $53,459/year (≈ $25.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Rock Hill's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $58,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Rock Hill, South Carolina, plumbers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,459 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in the area extends from $35,348 at the lower end (P10) to $82,862 at the high end (P90), indicating a diverse earning potential dependent on skills and experience. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations, highlight the dynamics at play in local compensation. Specialization can significantly influence earnings, with credentials in medical gas or industrial plumbing commanding higher pay. In Rock Hill's competitive labor market, gaining such specialty skills can markedly enhance one’s career prospects, making it a strategic move for aspiring plumbers.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,348 | $17.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,622 | $20.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,459 | $25.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,428 | $32.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,862 | $39.84 |
Median Salary Position
18.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Hill
In Rock Hill, SC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,514 (2026 est.). At $53,459, the local median is 18.27% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Hill Plumber Pay Compares
Rock Hill median: $53,459/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $53,674 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -18.27% less |
Plumbers in Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $53,459 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.27% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $53,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Hill 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.
Rock Hill, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $53,459 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,425 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,083
2025 BLS Actual
$52,145
2026 Current Est.
$53,459
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,941 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,113 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,306 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,145 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,806 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Hill metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $45,083 (2019) to $52,145 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,806 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,723 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Hill 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) | $35,348 – $42,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,622 – $53,459 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,459 – $68,428 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,428 – $82,862 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Rock Hill
The local plumbing workforce consists of just 11 employed plumbers, which reflects a limited market that may offer both challenges and opportunities for those entering the field. Rock Hill's cost of living index is 91.5, suggesting that take-home pay retains significant purchasing power, especially when compared to national averages. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors typically provide some of the highest wages, benefiting from stronger collective bargaining agreements compared to non-union and open-shop firms. Factors contributing to the variation in plumber pay include the demand for skilled specialties, particularly in medical gas, as well as differences in employer structures—commission-based roles at service companies can lead to income volatility but also present lucrative potential. To maximize earnings in Rock Hill, pursuing advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties are effective strategies.
More salary data for Rock Hill, 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 $52,145 for plumbersin the Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill 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