How to Become A Plumber in South Carolina
South Carolina employs approximately 5,770 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $53,940 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a plumber in South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in South Carolina
How do I become a plumber in South Carolina? South Carolina requires credentials such as Plumbing, Plumbing Inspector. The licensing authority is the SC Residential Builders Commission 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The SC Residential Builders Commission oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for plumbers in South Carolina is $53,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,660 and experienced professionals can earn $75,780 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: SC Residential Builders Commission
- Median wage (South Carolina): $53,940 per year 1
Plumber License Requirements in South Carolina
The SC Residential Builders Commission oversees plumber licensing in South Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
| Plumbing Inspector | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: SC Technical College System - Apprenticeship Carolina
- Address: 111 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29201-2496
- Phone: (803) 765-5548
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 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 | 3,840 | $58,690 | $58,140 | $42,320 | $76,010 |
| Columbia | 1,060 | $52,070 | $55,130 | $38,010 | $75,570 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 960 | $57,360 | $58,210 | $39,100 | $74,880 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 960 | $50,890 | $56,130 | $36,690 | $79,890 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 540 | $54,690 | $56,220 | $36,490 | $77,330 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 460 | $48,340 | $52,860 | $37,430 | $72,560 |
| Spartanburg | 310 | $52,640 | $56,020 | $37,220 | $78,330 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 210 | $54,870 | $56,940 | $37,840 | $75,990 |
| Florence | 190 | $56,160 | $54,620 | $34,730 | $76,090 |
| Sumter | 80 | $50,840 | $52,620 | $36,950 | $69,640 |
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 Plumbers in South Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 1,060 | $52,070 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 960 | $57,360 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 960 | $50,890 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 460 | $48,340 |
| Spartanburg | 310 | $52,640 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in South Carolina
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in South Carolina earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent South Carolina general wage determinations show approximately $16.99 per hour in base pay plus $2.17 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $19.16 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 5,770 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Residential Builders Commission for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 plumbers earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in South Carolina is $53,940, which is $9,030 below the national median of $62,970 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
SC Residential Builders Commission - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Apprenticeship South Carolina: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |