Construction Laborer salary in Columbia, SC
Construction Laborers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $42,630 a year ($20.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,420 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $42,940. There are 6.6 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Median | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| 75th percentile | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Average (mean) | $44,910 | $21.59 |
Half of construction laborers 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 | $3,552.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,776.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,639.62 |
| Weekly | $819.81 |
| Hourly | $20.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,850 | 10,840 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $45,750 | 910 |
| Florence, SC | $45,230 | 650 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $44,380 | 3,250 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $43,630 | 3,710 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $42,210 | 1,310 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $38,730 | 1,630 |
| Sumter, SC | $38,650 | 390 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $38,210 | 1,440 |
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 |
| Illinois | $60,690 |
| California | $60,270 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 |
| Alaska | $58,060 |
| Washington | $57,720 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 |
See Construction Laborer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| 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 47-2061. 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 construction laborer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $42,630 a year, or $20.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $62,420 a year. The top 25% earn $48,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,300 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $36,400 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Columbia, SC?
About 2,610 construction laborers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.