Highest-paying trades in South Carolina
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in South Carolina, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $51.98 | $108,110 | $92.31 | 5,620 | 30th of 51 | -1.7% | 6% below |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $43.68 | $90,860 | $60.22 | 540 | 29th of 37 | +0.6% | 17% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $36.96 | $76,870 | $49.45 | 2,690 | 45th of 51 | +6.2% | 19% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $36.23 | $75,350 | $50.89 | 13,150 | 42nd of 51 | +3.0% | 6% below |
| 5 | Boilermaker | $35.98 | $74,840 | $37.02 | — | 25th of 37 | +7.2% | 2% below |
| 6 | Crane operator | $30.83 | $64,120 | $43.00 | 720 | 31st of 50 | -6.3% | 6% below |
| 7 | Millwright | $29.66 | $61,700 | $40.03 | 950 | 37th of 48 | +3.5% | 6% below |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $28.53 | $59,330 | $36.86 | 3,360 | 37th of 51 | +14.5% | 4% below |
| 9 | Electrician | $28.24 | $58,740 | $37.41 | 8,010 | 44th of 51 | +3.1% | 7% below |
| 10 | Machinist | $27.87 | $57,970 | $36.37 | 3,790 | 31st of 51 | +10.6% | 1% below |
| 11 | HVAC technician | $27.22 | $56,610 | $36.31 | 6,920 | 42nd of 51 | +6.3% | 7% below |
| 12 | Plumber | $25.93 | $53,940 | $36.44 | 5,770 | 47th of 51 | -6.1% | 15% below |
| 13 | Ironworker | $24.40 | $50,750 | $32.09 | 660 | 44th of 50 | -10.6% | 19% below |
| 14 | Carpenter | $24.36 | $50,670 | $38.00 | 6,950 | 39th of 51 | +2.0% | 16% below |
| 15 | Glazier | $24.35 | $50,650 | $32.95 | 740 | 31st of 50 | +2.0% | 11% below |
| 16 | Solar installer | $24.27 | $50,490 | $37.58 | — | 16th of 32 | — | 5% below |
| 17 | Welder | $24.03 | $49,980 | $31.01 | 7,380 | 42nd of 51 | +0.3% | 7% below |
| 18 | Sheet metal worker | $24.00 | $49,920 | $36.68 | 1,710 | 43rd of 50 | +4.6% | 19% below |
| 19 | Cement mason | $23.73 | $49,360 | $36.89 | 1,930 | 39th of 51 | +12.5% | 13% below |
| 20 | Brickmason | $23.56 | $49,010 | $37.48 | 410 | 46th of 50 | +4.6% | 21% below |
| 21 | Heavy equipment operator | $23.53 | $48,940 | $30.93 | 8,160 | 46th of 51 | +4.5% | 18% below |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $22.61 | $47,020 | $32.62 | 730 | 35th of 48 | — | 4% below |
| 23 | Roofer | $22.00 | $45,760 | $29.74 | 850 | 45th of 51 | +18.1% | 17% below |
| 24 | Drywall installer | $21.80 | $45,340 | $32.98 | 340 | 42nd of 49 | +7.8% | 23% below |
| 25 | Tile setter | $20.92 | $43,510 | $51.09 | — | 44th of 47 | -1.4% | 22% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $20.65 | $42,940 | $30.47 | 19,620 | 42nd of 51 | +14.0% | 9% below |
| 27 | Painter | $19.64 | $40,840 | $27.65 | 2,080 | 50th of 51 | +0.4% | 17% below |
Construction jobs in South Carolina
Prevailing wage in South Carolina
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In South Carolina, 31 of 46 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $46.79/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in South Carolina
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in South Carolina?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $51.98 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($43.68) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($36.96).
How does South Carolina compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 0 pay above the national median in South Carolina and 27 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 93.7% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Carolina.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).