Carpenter salary in South Carolina
Carpenters in South Carolina earn a median of $50,670 a year ($24.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,040 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $60,580. South Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 3.0 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $55,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Median | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| 75th percentile | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Average (mean) | $55,350 | $26.61 |
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 | $4,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,111.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,948.85 |
| Weekly | $974.42 |
| Hourly | $24.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,070 | 880 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Electrician | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Roofer | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Glazier | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Pipelayer | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,950 | $22.57 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for carpenters in South Carolina is $50,670 a year, or $24.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of carpenters in South Carolina earn at least $79,040 a year. The top 25% earn $62,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,010 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $43,620 or less.
How many carpenters work in South Carolina?
About 6,950 carpenters are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.