Pipelayer salary in South Carolina
Pipelayers in South Carolina earn a median of $45,180 a year ($21.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,920 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $49,000. South Carolina ranks 37th of 44 states for pipelayers pay. There are 0.29 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| 25th percentile | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Median | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 75th percentile | $49,490 | $23.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Average (mean) | $45,880 | $22.06 |
Half of pipelayers 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 | $3,765 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,882.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,737.69 |
| Weekly | $868.85 |
| Hourly | $21.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,980 | 1,170 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $48,250 | 170 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,000 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,560 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $44,190 | 90 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $44,170 | 80 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $42,950 | 60 |
| Florence, SC | $37,650 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for pipelayers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $86,870 |
| Washington | $82,450 |
| Minnesota | $81,980 |
| New Jersey | $78,830 |
| California | $76,180 |
| Indiana | $73,580 |
| Massachusetts | $72,770 |
| Ohio | $71,560 |
| New York | $70,370 |
| Oregon | $64,230 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 47-2151. 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 pipelayer make in South Carolina?
The median salary for pipelayers in South Carolina is $45,180 a year, or $21.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of pipelayers in South Carolina earn at least $58,920 a year. The top 25% earn $49,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,480 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $38,960 or less.
How many pipelayers work in South Carolina?
About 670 pipelayers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.