What this means Our calculation
1 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is elevator installers at $93,360. Prices run 6% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (5.2%) and the population is growing faster than most (+20.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Myrtle Beach Government data
All 28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Installer | $93,360 | -14% | $99,699 | 70 | #44 |
| Construction Supervisor | $70,220 | -9% | $74,988 | 980 | #314 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $69,390 | +11% | $74,101 | 140 | #95 |
| Building Inspector | $59,600 | -12% | $63,647 | 170 | #289 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,320 | -2% | $63,348 | 160 | #234 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $56,040 | -12% | $59,845 | 120 | #363 |
| HVAC Technician | $54,230 | -9% | $57,912 | 630 | #292 |
| Electrician | $51,200 | -18% | $54,676 | 360 | #348 |
| Plumber | $48,340 | -21% | $51,622 | 460 | #368 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $47,980 | -7% | $51,238 | 110 | #278 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $47,830 | -6% | $51,078 | 100 | #101 |
| Carpenter | $47,750 | -15% | $50,992 | 510 | #325 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,330 | -23% | $50,544 | 40 | #237 |
| Brickmason | $47,220 | -25% | $50,426 | 50 | #147 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $47,040 | -6% | $50,234 | 150 | #108 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $47,000 | -21% | $50,191 | 980 | #351 |
| Roofer | $46,590 | -7% | $49,753 | 60 | #211 |
| Machinist | $46,460 | -19% | $49,614 | 50 | #350 |
| Glazier | $46,160 | -16% | $49,294 | 110 | #137 |
| Concrete Finisher | $45,810 | -20% | $48,920 | 110 | #289 |
| Welder | $45,640 | -13% | $48,739 | 130 | #357 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,360 | -7% | $48,440 | 1,040 | #341 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $40,110 | -17% | $42,833 | 40 | #123 |
| Maintenance Technician | $38,770 | -20% | $41,402 | 2,080 | #375 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,210 | -18% | $40,804 | 1,440 | #334 |
| Pest Control Technician | $38,100 | -14% | $40,687 | 270 | #192 |
| Painter | $36,040 | -24% | $38,487 | 280 | #353 |
| Landscaper | $34,410 | -8% | $36,746 | 1,590 | #352 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Myrtle Beach
The Myrtle Beach area has about 230,669 homes. 14% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 32% were built in 2010 or later. 80% of households own their home, and the median home value is $325,300.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Myrtle Beach Government data
In an average year, Myrtle Beach has 21 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 34 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 71 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 86°F and winter nights 39°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, N Myrtle Bch Airport, SC station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.2% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Myrtle Beach area's population grew 20.9% from 2020 to 2025 (353,774 → 427,551), ranking #2 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +82,095) account for more than all of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Myrtle Beach are down 47% from 2021 to 2025 (12,219 → 6,511). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Myrtle Beach area is 25 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 11% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 74% drive alone, 0% take transit and 13% 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.