Carpenter Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Carpenters in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$50,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $60,580
State Rank
#39 of 51
6,950 employed here

How much does a Carpenter make in South Carolina?

A Carpenter working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $50,670 per year, or about $24.36 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $60,580 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,010 while the top 10% make $79,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,620 and $62,610 a year.

Carpenter salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,010$17.31
25th percentile (early career)$43,620$20.97
50th percentile (median)$50,670$24.36
75th percentile (experienced)$62,610$30.10
90th percentile (top earners)$79,040$38.00

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for Carpenter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$85,280
2Illinois$79,000
3California$75,920
4Massachusetts$75,200
5Washington$74,190

Working as a Carpenter in South Carolina

Nationally, about 670,000 people work as Carpenters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($50,670) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Carpenter make in South Carolina?
The median Carpenter salary in South Carolina is $50,670 per year, or about $24.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,010 at the entry level to $79,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Carpenters about 16% less than the national median of $60,580. South Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Carpenters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,670 a year. About 6,950 Carpenters are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Carpenter salary report

Related salaries

Helpers--Carpenters

$43,780
median pay · 22,000 employed

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

$76,170
median pay · 1,000 employed

Helpers--Extraction Workers

$47,730
median pay · 7,000 employed

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

$56,460
median pay · 24,000 employed

Fence Erector

$47,980
median pay · 24,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.