What this means Our calculation
9 of 34 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $77,470. Prices run 1% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth about the same than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is about the same as most metros (3.8%) and the population is growing faster than most (+10.7% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Charleston Government data
All 34 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $77,470 | +0% | $76,732 | 2,560 | #190 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $75,570 | -22% | $74,850 | 300 | #232 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $63,080 | +22% | $62,479 | 660 | #18 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,000 | +1% | $60,419 | 540 | #169 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $60,950 | -5% | $60,369 | 1,350 | #294 |
| Building Inspector | $60,140 | -11% | $59,567 | 460 | #273 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $59,790 | -10% | $59,220 | 150 | #172 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $59,730 | -4% | $59,161 | 400 | #227 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,650 | -3% | $59,082 | 270 | #155 |
| Machinist | $59,280 | +4% | $58,715 | 470 | #129 |
| Electrician | $59,010 | -5% | $58,448 | 1,480 | #265 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,410 | -2% | $57,853 | 1,270 | #235 |
| Ironworker | $57,780 | -10% | $57,229 | 100 | #111 |
| Plumber | $57,360 | -7% | $56,813 | 960 | #280 |
| Welder | $56,060 | +7% | $55,526 | 830 | #128 |
| Concrete Finisher | $52,560 | -8% | $52,059 | 300 | #196 |
| Flooring Installer | $52,000 | -7% | $51,505 | 50 | #40 |
| Rigger | $51,020 | -16% | $50,534 | 210 | #55 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $50,640 | -15% | $50,157 | 1,470 | #271 |
| Carpenter | $50,380 | -10% | $49,900 | 1,240 | #251 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $49,420 | +2% | $48,949 | 80 | #54 |
| Auto Mechanic | $49,120 | +0% | $48,652 | 2,510 | #186 |
| Brickmason | $48,690 | -23% | $48,226 | 50 | #138 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,540 | +0% | $48,077 | 4,460 | #190 |
| Roofer | $48,040 | -4% | $47,582 | 110 | #176 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $47,600 | -6% | $47,146 | 40 | #87 |
| Painter | $47,510 | -0% | $47,057 | 410 | #188 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $47,220 | -7% | $46,770 | 120 | #109 |
| Construction Laborer | $43,630 | -7% | $43,214 | 3,710 | #266 |
| Pest Control Technician | $43,530 | -2% | $43,115 | 510 | #139 |
| Insulation Installer | $40,120 | -17% | $39,738 | 180 | #101 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $39,130 | -22% | $38,757 | 110 | #141 |
| Drywall Installer | $38,670 | -28% | $38,302 | 70 | #166 |
| Landscaper | $37,720 | +0% | $37,361 | 3,020 | #187 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Charleston
The Charleston area has about 395,020 homes. 27% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 28% were built in 2010 or later. 70% of households own their home, and the median home value is $430,300.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Charleston Government data
In an average year, Charleston has 64 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), 22 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 74 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 90°F and winter nights 41°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Charleston International Airport, SC station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.8% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Charleston area's population grew 10.7% from 2020 to 2025 (803,468 → 889,263), ranking #29 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +72,328) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Charleston are down 12% from 2021 to 2025 (8,282 → 7,287). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Charleston area is 29 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 21% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 70% drive alone, 1% take transit and 16% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in South Carolina Official source
The main state licensing office in South Carolina is the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official South Carolina licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 2.7% of wage and salary workers in South Carolina were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#49 of 51 states and D.C.), and 4.1% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in South Carolina.