Carpenter salary in Columbia, SC
Carpenters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $48,070 a year ($23.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,860 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $50,670. There are 2.2 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $53,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| 25th percentile | $41,880 | $20.13 |
| Median | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| 75th percentile | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,860 | $37.44 |
| Average (mean) | $53,260 | $25.60 |
Half of carpenters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,005.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,002.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,848.85 |
| Weekly | $924.42 |
| Hourly | $23.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $58,930 | 830 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $51,750 | 300 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,960 | 3,730 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $50,380 | 1,240 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $50,090 | 1,340 |
| Florence, SC | $49,250 | 130 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $49,070 | 440 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $47,750 | 510 |
| Sumter, SC | $45,700 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 |
| Illinois | $79,000 |
| California | $75,920 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 |
| Washington | $74,190 |
| Alaska | $73,860 |
| New York | $72,330 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,680 | $24.36 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Glazier | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Roofer | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Pipelayer | $44,190 | $21.25 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for carpenters in the Columbia, SC metro area is $48,070 a year, or $23.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $77,860 a year. The top 25% earn $59,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,390 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $41,880 or less.
How many carpenters work in Columbia, SC?
About 880 carpenters are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.