Skilled Wages

Carpenter salary in South Carolina

Median $24.36 an hour for 6,950 carpenters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$24.36/hrMedian hourly wageSouth Carolina, May data
$50,670/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$17.31 – $38.0010th to 90th percentilehourly range
6,950Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Carpenter pay in South Carolina: the full range

Wage percentiles, South CarolinaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrSouth Carolina: 10th $17.31 · 25th $20.97 · median $24.36 · 75th $30.10 · 90th $38.00South Carolina$24.36$17.31$38.00United States: 10th $19.43 · 25th $23.32 · median $29.12 · 75th $36.94 · 90th $48.03United States$29.12
Hourly wage percentiles for carpenters: South Carolina vs United States, May 2025.

South Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for median carpenter pay, and 45th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.00). 6,950 carpenters work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.2× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$17.31 – $20.97$36,010 – $43,620roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$20.97 – $30.10$43,620 – $62,610the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$30.10 – $38.00$62,610 – $79,040the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Carpenter pay by metro in South Carolina

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrAugusta: $28.33Augusta$28.33Spartanburg: $24.88Spartanburg$24.88Charlotte: $24.50Charlotte$24.50Charleston: $24.22Charleston$24.22Greenville: $24.08Greenville$24.08Florence: $23.68Florence$23.68Hilton Head: $23.59Hilton Head$23.59Columbia: $23.11Columbia$23.11Myrtle Beach: $22.96Myrtle Beach$22.96Sumter: $21.97Sumter$21.97
Median hourly wage for carpenters by metro area in South Carolina, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Augusta$18.15$28.33$30.83$35.9983016% above
Spartanburg$17.92$24.88$27.31$36.733002% above
Charlotte$18.39$24.50$25.18$31.563,7301% above
Charleston$17.67$24.22$23.98$37.851,2401% below
Greenville$17.05$24.08$25.81$36.591,3401% below
Florence$16.16$23.68$27.28$40.761303% below
Hilton Head$16.92$23.59$24.07$39.014403% below
Columbia$17.49$23.11$24.66$37.448805% below
Myrtle Beach$17.67$22.96$24.53$35.805106% below
Sumter$16.59$21.97$24.97$33.857010% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Carpenter wages in South Carolina over time

South Carolina, 1999-2025South CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$29.12United States$24.36South Carolina
Median hourly wage for carpenters, South Carolina vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearSouth Carolina $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$12.48$24.12$15.3510,250
2000$13.42$25.09$15.6910,480
2001$13.12$23.85$16.099,190
2002$13.62$24.37$16.449,500
2003$13.60$23.80$16.479,810
2004$13.78$23.49$16.7810,750
2005$14.35$23.66$17.1112,530
2006$14.39$22.98$17.5714,380
2007$14.96$23.23$18.1114,200
2008$15.25$22.80$18.7212,300
2009$15.61$23.43$18.988,930
2010$15.86$23.42$19.007,400
2011$16.00$22.90$19.246,750
2012$16.43$23.04$19.207,400
2013$17.12$23.66$19.477,010
2014$17.47$23.76$19.637,300
2015$17.58$23.88$20.247,030
2016$17.92$24.04$20.968,380
2017$18.53$24.34$21.718,740
2018$18.95$24.30$22.409,330
2019$19.86$25.01$23.248,840
2020$21.24$26.42$23.818,840
2021$18.88$22.43$23.209,700
2022$22.14$24.36$24.719,060
2023$22.94$24.24$27.098,510
2024$23.51$24.13$28.517,070
2025$24.36$24.36$29.126,950

In today's dollars, the median carpenter wage in South Carolina changed by +2.0% over the last ten years of data and by -2.6% since 2019.

Are there more carpenter jobs in South Carolina?

-21.4%Jobs since 20198,840 then, 6,950 in 2025
-1.1%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
3.0Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 0.7× the US share, 43rd of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of carpenters counted in South Carolina has changed by -32.2%, against -13.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by -21.4%.

Carpenters in South Carolina vs United States, 1999 = 100South CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages507510012515020002005201020152020202587United States68South Carolina
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, South Carolina vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearSouth Carolina jobsSouth Carolina indexUS index
199910,250100100
200010,480102111
20019,19090110
20029,50093111
20039,81096110
200410,750105114
200512,530122121
200614,380140128
200714,200138126
200812,300120117
20098,9308796
20107,4007280
20116,7506675
20127,4007274
20137,0106875
20147,3007180
20157,0306983
20168,3808288
20178,7408590
20189,3309193
20198,8408695
20208,8408691
20219,7009587
20229,0608890
20238,5108391
20247,0706990
20256,9506887

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for carpenters in South Carolina

+5.9%Projected growth in South Carolina2024–2034, state agency
730Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
9,230Jobs in 20249,780 projected for 2034
+3.9%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

South Carolina's labor market agency projects the number of carpenters in the state to change by +5.9% between 2024 and 2034, from 9,230 to 9,780, with about 730 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 6,950 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: South Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for carpenters in South Carolina

On federally funded construction in South Carolina, contractors must pay carpenters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 46 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $16.00). 46 of the 46 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Abbeville County at $15.24). The market median for the state is $24.36.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, SCAbbeville: $15.24 (survey)Aiken: $18.30 (survey)Allendale: $15.42 (survey)Anderson: $17.98 (survey)Bamberg: $15.42 (survey)Barnwell: $15.42 (survey)Beaufort: $15.96 (survey)Berkeley: $17.61 (survey)Calhoun: $20.23 (survey)Charleston: $17.19 (survey)Cherokee: $15.24 (survey)Chester: $15.24 (survey)Chesterfield: $15.24 (survey)Clarendon: $15.24 (survey)Colleton: $16.00 (survey)Darlington: $18.30 (survey)Dillon: $15.24 (survey)Dorchester: $17.61 (survey)Edgefield: $18.30 (survey)Fairfield: $20.23 (survey)Florence: $18.30 (survey)Georgetown: $16.00 (survey)Greenville: $19.04 (survey)Greenwood: $15.24 (survey)Hampton: $16.00 (survey)Horry: $20.23 (survey)Jasper: $16.00 (survey)Kershaw: $20.23 (survey)Lancaster: $15.24 (survey)Laurens: $18.91 (survey)Lee: $15.24 (survey)Lexington: $20.23 (survey)McCormick: $15.24 (survey)Marion: $15.24 (survey)Marlboro: $15.24 (survey)Newberry: $15.45 (survey)Oconee: $15.24 (survey)Orangeburg: $15.45 (survey)Pickens: $18.91 (survey)Richland: $20.15 (survey)Saluda: $20.23 (survey)Spartanburg: $15.67 (survey)Sumter: $18.30 (survey)Union: $15.24 (survey)Williamsburg: $16.00 (survey)York: $17.14 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$15.45$17.19$18.91survey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for carpenters by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (survey)$10$15$20$25$30/hrHorry (Myrtle Beach): market median $22.96, prevailing (survey) $20.23, gap −$2.73Horry (Myrtle Beach)−$2.73Calhoun (Columbia): market median $23.11, prevailing (survey) $20.23, gap −$2.88Calhoun (Columbia)−$2.88Sumter (Sumter): market median $21.97, prevailing (survey) $18.30, gap −$3.67Sumter (Sumter)−$3.67Greenville (Greenville): market median $24.08, prevailing (survey) $19.04, gap −$5.04Greenville (Greenville)−$5.04Darlington (Florence): market median $23.68, prevailing (survey) $18.30, gap −$5.38Darlington (Florence)−$5.38Berkeley (Charleston): market median $24.22, prevailing (survey) $17.61, gap −$6.61Berkeley (Charleston)−$6.61York (Charlotte): market median $24.50, prevailing (survey) $17.14, gap −$7.36York (Charlotte)−$7.36Jasper (Hilton Head): market median $23.59, prevailing (survey) $16.00, gap −$7.59Jasper (Hilton Head)−$7.59Spartanburg (Spartanburg): market median $24.88, prevailing (survey) $15.67, gap −$9.21Spartanburg (Spartanburg)−$9.21Aiken (Augusta): market median $28.33, prevailing (survey) $18.30, gap −$10.03Aiken (Augusta)−$10.03
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for carpenters, metro counties in South Carolina.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
CalhounSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$15.57$4.66$20.23SC20260033
FairfieldSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$15.57$4.66$20.23SC20260033
HorrySurvey SUSC2011-022 2011-08-31$17.21$3.02$20.23SC20260026
KershawSurvey SUSC2011-023 2011-08-31$15.57$4.66$20.23SC20260027
LexingtonSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$15.57$4.66$20.23SC20260033
SaludaSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$15.57$4.66$20.23SC20260033
RichlandSurvey SUSC2011-024 2011-08-31$16.32$3.83$20.15SC20260028
GreenvilleSurvey SUSC2011-021 2011-08-31$17.21$1.83$19.04SC20260025
LaurensSurvey SUSC2011-031 2011-08-31$17.26$1.65$18.91SC20260006
PickensSurvey SUSC2011-031 2011-08-31$17.26$1.65$18.91SC20260006
AikenSurvey SUSC2011-028 2011-08-31$15.14$3.16$18.30SC20260032
DarlingtonSurvey SUSC2011-030 2011-08-31$15.14$3.16$18.30SC20260005
EdgefieldSurvey SUSC2011-028 2011-08-31$15.14$3.16$18.30SC20260032
FlorenceSurvey SUSC2011-030 2011-08-31$15.14$3.16$18.30SC20260005
SumterSurvey SUSC2011-026 2011-08-31$15.14$3.16$18.30SC20260030

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the South Carolina prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in South Carolina?

130.0kConstruction jobsSouth Carolina, 2026-09
+4.2%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202660k80k100k120k140k19901995200020052010201520202025130kSep 2026
Construction employment in South Carolina (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Keep comparing

Carpenter pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in South Carolina

More on South Carolina

Questions this page answers

How much do carpenters make in South Carolina?

The median carpenter in South Carolina earned $24.36 an hour ($50,670 a year) in May 2025, 16% below the national median of $29.12. The middle half earn $20.97–$30.10; the top 10% earn more than $38.00.

Where does South Carolina rank for carpenter pay?

South Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for carpenter pay, with a median of $24.36 an hour, and 45th after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 93.7, US = 100).

What is the union carpenter rate in South Carolina?

Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a carpenter classification for most South Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.

How many carpenters work in South Carolina?

BLS counted 6,950 carpenters in South Carolina in May 2025, 3.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.70; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is carpenter work growing in South Carolina?

The BLS employer survey count of carpenters in South Carolina went from 7,030 in 2015 to 6,950 in 2025, -1.1%, and -21.4% since 2019. South Carolina's labor market agency projects +5.9% growth for carpenters between 2024 and 2034, from 9,230 to 9,780 jobs.

How many carpenter openings a year are there in South Carolina?

South Carolina projects about 730 openings a year for carpenters over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 62,800 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2031. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: South Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.