Cement mason salary in South Carolina
Median $23.73 an hour for 1,930 cement masons and concrete finishers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Cement mason pay in South Carolina: the full range
South Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for median cement mason pay, and 40th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $25.33). 1,930 cement masons and concrete finishers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $17.67 – $21.74 | $36,760 – $45,210 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $21.74 – $29.70 | $45,210 – $61,770 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $29.70 – $36.89 | $61,770 – $76,730 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Cement mason pay by metro in South Carolina
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $18.98 | $25.27 | $39.20 | 300 | 6% above |
| Columbia | $18.66 | $24.36 | $36.89 | 350 | 3% above |
| Greenville | $17.90 | $24.29 | $37.68 | 470 | 2% above |
| Hilton Head | $17.44 | $23.76 | $38.93 | 90 | about the same as |
| Charlotte | $18.51 | $23.17 | $30.42 | 1,390 | 2% below |
| Spartanburg | $20.14 | $23.14 | $32.34 | 110 | 2% below |
| Florence | $17.84 | $22.37 | $29.33 | 110 | 6% below |
| Augusta | $16.44 | $22.29 | $33.22 | 160 | 6% below |
| Myrtle Beach | $17.18 | $22.02 | $35.85 | 110 | 7% below |
Cement mason wages in South Carolina over time
Table
| Year | South Carolina $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $11.35 | $21.93 | $13.68 | 2,430 |
| 2000 | $11.90 | $22.25 | $13.50 | 1,970 |
| 2001 | $12.23 | $22.23 | $14.25 | 2,220 |
| 2002 | $12.67 | $22.67 | $14.74 | 2,220 |
| 2003 | $12.85 | $22.48 | $14.80 | 2,240 |
| 2004 | $11.94 | $20.35 | $15.10 | 2,570 |
| 2005 | $12.50 | $20.61 | $15.40 | 2,680 |
| 2006 | $12.69 | $20.27 | $15.70 | 2,760 |
| 2007 | $13.88 | $21.55 | $16.27 | 2,540 |
| 2008 | $13.71 | $20.50 | $16.87 | 2,650 |
| 2009 | $14.15 | $21.23 | $17.04 | 2,180 |
| 2010 | $14.17 | $20.92 | $17.04 | 2,030 |
| 2011 | $14.03 | $20.08 | $17.11 | 1,720 |
| 2012 | $13.99 | $19.62 | $17.19 | 1,370 |
| 2013 | $13.70 | $18.93 | $17.37 | 1,520 |
| 2014 | $14.69 | $19.98 | $17.67 | 1,530 |
| 2015 | $15.53 | $21.09 | $18.14 | 1,520 |
| 2016 | $16.62 | $22.29 | $18.84 | 1,670 |
| 2017 | $16.63 | $21.84 | $19.54 | 1,800 |
| 2018 | $17.62 | $22.59 | $20.67 | 2,330 |
| 2019 | $18.37 | $23.13 | $21.54 | 2,120 |
| 2020 | $19.19 | $23.87 | $22.12 | 2,080 |
| 2021 | $17.92 | $21.29 | $22.76 | 1,750 |
| 2022 | $19.51 | $21.46 | $23.22 | 1,830 |
| 2023 | $22.09 | $23.34 | $24.38 | 1,600 |
| 2024 | $22.80 | $23.40 | $26.28 | 1,770 |
| 2025 | $23.73 | $23.73 | $27.41 | 1,930 |
In today's dollars, the median cement mason wage in South Carolina changed by +12.5% over the last ten years of data.
Union scale and prevailing wage for cement masons in South Carolina
On federally funded construction in South Carolina, contractors must pay cement masons at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 2 of the 23 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $38.75 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $14.77). 21 of the 23 counties still use a survey rate dated 2008 or earlier (for example Allendale County at $48.05). The market median for the state is $23.73.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allendale | Survey SUSC2011-002 2008-10-01 | $30.74 | $17.31 | $48.05 | SC20260002 |
| Barnwell | Survey SUSC2011-002 2008-10-01 | $30.74 | $17.31 | $48.05 | SC20260002 |
| Aiken | Union PLAS0148-002 2024-01-01 | $27.70 | $11.05 | $38.75 | SC20260032 |
| Edgefield | Union PLAS0148-002 2024-01-01 | $27.70 | $11.05 | $38.75 | SC20260032 |
| Calhoun | Survey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31 | $15.29 | $0.00 | $15.29 | SC20260033 |
| Fairfield | Survey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31 | $15.29 | $0.00 | $15.29 | SC20260033 |
| Kershaw | Survey SUSC2011-023 2011-08-31 | $15.29 | $0.00 | $15.29 | SC20260027 |
| Lexington | Survey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31 | $15.29 | $0.00 | $15.29 | SC20260033 |
| Richland | Survey SUSC2011-024 2011-08-31 | $15.29 | $0.00 | $15.29 | SC20260028 |
| Saluda | Survey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31 | $15.29 | $0.00 | $15.29 | SC20260033 |
| Berkeley | Survey SUSC2011-018 2011-08-31 | $14.77 | $0.00 | $14.77 | SC20260022 |
| Charleston | Survey SUSC2011-019 2011-08-31 | $14.77 | $0.00 | $14.77 | SC20260023 |
| Dorchester | Survey SUSC2011-020 2011-08-31 | $14.77 | $0.00 | $14.77 | SC20260024 |
| Horry | Survey SUSC2011-022 2011-08-31 | $14.77 | $0.00 | $14.77 | SC20260026 |
| Darlington | Survey SUSC2011-030 2011-08-31 | $14.63 | $0.00 | $14.63 | SC20260005 |
| Florence | Survey SUSC2011-030 2011-08-31 | $14.63 | $0.00 | $14.63 | SC20260005 |
| Sumter | Survey SUSC2011-026 2011-08-31 | $14.63 | $0.00 | $14.63 | SC20260030 |
| Anderson | Survey SUSC2011-017 2011-08-31 | $14.10 | $0.00 | $14.10 | SC20260021 |
| Greenville | Survey SUSC2011-021 2011-08-31 | $14.10 | $0.00 | $14.10 | SC20260025 |
| Laurens | Survey SUSC2011-031 2011-08-31 | $14.10 | $0.00 | $14.10 | SC20260006 |
| Pickens | Survey SUSC2011-031 2011-08-31 | $14.10 | $0.00 | $14.10 | SC20260006 |
| Spartanburg | Survey SUSC2011-025 2011-08-31 | $14.10 | $0.00 | $14.10 | SC20260029 |
| York | Survey SUSC2011-027 2011-08-31 | $14.10 | $0.00 | $14.10 | SC20260031 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. 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?
Keep comparing
Cement mason pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in South Carolina
Questions this page answers
How much do cement masons make in South Carolina?
The median cement mason in South Carolina earned $23.73 an hour ($49,360 a year) in May 2025, 13% below the national median of $27.41. The middle half earn $21.74–$29.70; the top 10% earn more than $36.89.
Where does South Carolina rank for cement mason pay?
South Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for cement mason pay, with a median of $23.73 an hour, and 40th after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 93.7, US = 100).
What is the union cement mason rate in South Carolina?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for cement masons in 2 counties, with a typical package of $38.75 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many cement masons work in South Carolina?
BLS counted 1,930 cement masons and concrete finishers in South Carolina in May 2025, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.63; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2051.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.