Construction Laborer salary in South Carolina
Construction Laborers in South Carolina earn a median of $42,940 a year ($20.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,370 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $47,120. South Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for construction laborers pay. There are 8.5 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Median | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| 75th percentile | $49,120 | $23.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Average (mean) | $45,470 | $21.86 |
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 | $3,578.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,789.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,651.54 |
| Weekly | $825.77 |
| Hourly | $20.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| Columbia, SC | $42,630 | 2,610 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Electrician | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| Carpenter | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| 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 47-2061. 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for construction laborers in South Carolina is $42,940 a year, or $20.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of construction laborers in South Carolina earn at least $63,370 a year. The top 25% earn $49,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $36,680 or less.
How many construction laborers work in South Carolina?
About 19,620 construction laborers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.