Electrician Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $29.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Columbia, SC runs $29.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,670 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,998 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, electricians are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.65 by 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02 per hour. This electrical work environment encompasses a wide variety of settings, including commercial and industrial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialized areas like data centers. For part-time electricians working three days a week, the opportunity to earn a stable income is promising, as they can significantly capitalize on demand in this field. For those entering the profession, initial wages might start around $22.26 per hour, while seasoned professionals can achieve up to $38.45 per hour. Such rates highlight the potential financial benefits available to electricians across different project types and workloads, all based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.26 | $178.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.09 | $192.72 |
| Median (P50) | $29.65 | $237.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.06 | $304.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.45 | $307.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $29.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.65/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $61,663 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,575. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,185.82 | $5,139 | $61,663 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.49 | $3,083 | $36,998 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.33 | $2,055 | $24,665 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Columbia) | $29.65 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $61,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.43% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 3.60% above the South Carolina state average of $59,527.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.65/hr = $36,998/year (purchasing power: $39,501).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,663/year (purchasing power: $65,835).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Columbia grew 26.4% from $22.96/hr (2019) to $29.03/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.27/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
For electricians considering part-time opportunities, working 24 hours a week could yield an annual income significantly lower than those in full-time positions, yet still attractive given the accumulating per diem benefits and flexible schedules. Per diem electrician pay in Columbia can range from $80 to $150 per day for travel workers on out-of-town assignments, plus base hourly wages between $35 and $60. Furthermore, specialized contractors in heavy industry can earn $80 to $140 per hour, especially during peak times like storm recovery, where linemen often see double-time pay plus additional per diem fees of $300 to $500 per day. In Columbia, hourly rates may vary widely depending on the employer type, with unionized contractors often providing a more substantial benefits package, while non-union work focuses more on immediate cash compensation. Electricians should weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against health insurance options, and strategic negotiation can be key in landing the most advantageous rates tailored to individual situations.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 Columbia. 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