How to Become A Construction Trades Worker in South Carolina
South Carolina employs approximately 19,620 construction trades workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,940 1. The state’s concentration of construction trades worker jobs is 1.21x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 129,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a construction trades worker in South Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Construction Trades Worker in South Carolina
How do I become a construction trades worker in South Carolina? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction trades workers in South Carolina.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do construction trades workers earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in South Carolina is $42,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,200 and experienced professionals can earn $63,370 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (South Carolina): $42,940 per year 1
Construction Trades Worker Apprenticeship Information in South Carolina
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Apprenticeship South Carolina 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: SC Technical College System - Apprenticeship Carolina
- Address: 111 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29201-2496
- Phone: (803) 765-5548
Construction Trades Worker Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), construction laborers wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 10,840 | $45,850 | $46,150 | $29,730 | $61,990 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 3,710 | $43,630 | $46,260 | $31,190 | $64,920 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 3,250 | $44,380 | $45,970 | $33,280 | $64,230 |
| Columbia | 2,610 | $42,630 | $44,910 | $30,300 | $62,420 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 1,630 | $38,730 | $42,720 | $27,560 | $58,850 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 1,440 | $38,210 | $43,290 | $31,330 | $61,550 |
| Spartanburg | 1,310 | $42,210 | $45,380 | $34,120 | $62,730 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 910 | $45,750 | $48,110 | $35,670 | $68,600 |
| Florence | 650 | $45,230 | $45,490 | $31,610 | $59,320 |
| Sumter | 390 | $38,650 | $40,460 | $29,510 | $57,680 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Construction trades workers in South Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest construction trades worker employment within South Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | 3,710 | $43,630 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 3,250 | $44,380 |
| Columbia | 2,610 | $42,630 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 1,440 | $38,210 |
| Spartanburg | 1,310 | $42,210 |
Explore More Trades in South Carolina
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- CNC Machinist in South Carolina
- Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for construction trades workers in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 19,620 construction trades workers 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Carolina. You can also contact the Apprenticeship South Carolina for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do construction trades workers earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in South Carolina is $42,940, which is $3,790 below the national median of $46,730 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Apprenticeship South Carolina: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |