Electrician Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $28.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Charleston, SC runs $28.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,261 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,156 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, SC, electricians earn a median hourly rate of $28.97, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This rate is significant for part-time workers, as those who work three days a week may find themselves taking home a steady income while providing crucial services in various settings, from commercial and industrial construction sites to residential service calls. The hourly range for electricians in Charleston varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $22.37 and experienced top earners reaching up to $37.15 per hour. This data derives from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting anticipated trends for 2026, and highlights the potential income opportunities available within the city’s diverse electrical trade environments.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.37 | $179.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.04 | $192.31 |
| Median (P50) | $28.97 | $231.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.48 | $259.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.15 | $297.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $28.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.97/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $60,261 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,766. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.86 | $5,022 | $60,261 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.31 | $3,013 | $36,156 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.54 | $2,009 | $24,104 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Charleston) | $28.97 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Solar PV Installer (National Avg) | $24.85 |
Electricians in Charleston, SC earn a median of $60,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.62% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 1.30% above the South Carolina state average of $59,488.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.97/hr = $36,156/year (purchasing power: $35,812).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,261/year (purchasing power: $59,686).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Charleston grew 42.6% from $19.89/hr (2019) to $28.37/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electricians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrician in Charleston
Considering part-time electricians working a typical schedule may reach an annual income of nearly $34,000, which is markedly less than what full-time counterparts earn. For those engaged in per-diem roles, there are lucrative opportunities: travel electricians on out-of-town projects can command between $35 and $60 per hour plus daily per diem rates ranging from $80 to $150. Additionally, linemen involved in emergency storm work often receive double-time along with per diem compensation, resulting in total daily income that can reach $300 to $500. Hourly rates also reflect the different employment types prevalent in Charleston, such as union contractors under the IBEW, who may garner higher wages but also provide benefits. Negotiating your hourly pay could hinge on understanding these various market pressures, along with considering the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits packages, which are crucial in determining long-term job satisfaction and financial stability in the electrical industry.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electricians in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov