Tile setter salary in South Carolina
Median $20.92 an hour for — tile setters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Tile setter pay in South Carolina: the full range
South Carolina ranks 44th of 47 states for median tile setter pay, and 43rd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $22.33). — tile setters work in the state. The top 10% earn 3.8× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $13.57 – $18.68 | $28,230 – $38,860 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $18.68 – $26.47 | $38,860 – $55,060 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $26.47 – $51.09 | $55,060 – $106,270 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Tile setter wages in South Carolina over time
Table
| Year | South Carolina $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $12.81 | $24.75 | $17.08 | 210 |
| 2000 | $12.97 | $24.25 | $16.49 | 210 |
| 2001 | $12.96 | $23.56 | $17.02 | 200 |
| 2002 | $12.64 | $22.62 | $17.20 | 290 |
| 2003 | $12.67 | $22.17 | $17.12 | 230 |
| 2004 | $12.77 | $21.76 | $17.02 | 400 |
| 2005 | $12.20 | $20.11 | $17.56 | 410 |
| 2006 | $13.30 | $21.24 | $17.59 | 850 |
| 2007 | $13.54 | $21.02 | $18.61 | 970 |
| 2008 | $14.39 | $21.52 | $18.85 | 850 |
| 2009 | $15.21 | $22.82 | $18.83 | 560 |
| 2010 | $15.20 | $22.44 | $18.32 | 270 |
| 2011 | $13.43 | $19.22 | $17.83 | 270 |
| 2012 | $13.02 | $18.26 | $17.81 | 230 |
| 2013 | $13.94 | $19.26 | $18.06 | 290 |
| 2014 | $14.00 | $19.04 | $18.74 | 350 |
| 2015 | $15.62 | $21.22 | $18.94 | 390 |
| 2016 | $16.77 | $22.50 | $19.45 | 290 |
| 2017 | $18.18 | $23.88 | $20.04 | 290 |
| 2018 | $17.24 | $22.10 | $20.12 | 250 |
| 2019 | $17.39 | $21.90 | $20.70 | 240 |
| 2020 | $18.69 | $23.25 | $21.26 | 180 |
| 2021 | $17.95 | $21.33 | $22.99 | 250 |
| 2022 | $18.16 | $19.98 | $23.24 | 200 |
| 2023 | $19.38 | $20.48 | $23.52 | 570 |
| 2024 | $21.68 | $22.25 | $25.11 | 320 |
| 2025 | $20.92 | $20.92 | $26.77 | — |
In today's dollars, the median tile setter wage in South Carolina changed by -1.4% over the last ten years of data and by -4.5% since 2019.
Outlook for tile setters in South Carolina
South Carolina's labor market agency projects the number of tile setters in the state to change by +15.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 390 to 460, with about 30 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +9.8% over 2025-35.
Source: South Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for tile setters in South Carolina
On federally funded construction in South Carolina, contractors must pay tile setters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 3 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $49.19). 3 of the 3 counties still use a survey rate dated 2008 or earlier (for example Aiken County at $49.19). The market median for the state is $20.92.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | Survey SUSC2011-002 2008-10-01 | $31.70 | $17.49 | $49.19 | SC20260002 |
| Allendale | Survey SUSC2011-002 2008-10-01 | $31.70 | $17.49 | $49.19 | SC20260002 |
| Barnwell | Survey SUSC2011-002 2008-10-01 | $31.70 | $17.49 | $49.19 | SC20260002 |
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?
Keep comparing
Tile setter pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in South Carolina
More on South Carolina
Questions this page answers
How much do tile setters make in South Carolina?
The median tile setter in South Carolina earned $20.92 an hour ($43,510 a year) in May 2025, 22% below the national median of $26.77. The middle half earn $18.68–$26.47; the top 10% earn more than $51.09.
Where does South Carolina rank for tile setter pay?
South Carolina ranks 44th of 47 states for tile setter pay, with a median of $20.92 an hour, and 43rd after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 93.7, US = 100).
What is the union tile setter rate in South Carolina?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a tile setter classification for most South Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many tile setters work in South Carolina?
BLS counted — tile setters in South Carolina in May 2025, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.00; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is tile setter work growing in South Carolina?
South Carolina's labor market agency projects +15.5% growth for tile setters between 2024 and 2034, from 390 to 460 jobs.
How many tile setter openings a year are there in South Carolina?
South Carolina projects about 30 openings a year for tile setters over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 3,300 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2044. 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.