Quick answer: The median painter in South Carolina earns $19.64/hr — about $40,840 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $58,000+. To hire one, a painting business typically bills $45–$60 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit — and more in higher-cost metros like Charleston-North Charleston.
Here's the full picture: what painters earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how South Carolina compares to other states.
Painter income in South Carolina (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for South Carolina's ~2,080 painters, construction, and maintenance:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $13.10 | ~$2,271 | ~$27,248 |
| Median (typical) | $19.64 | ~$3,403 | $40,840 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $27.65 | ~$4,793 | ~$57,512 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a painter takes home. What a painting business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median painter wage (earned) | ~$20/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $45–$60/hr |
Where South Carolina ranks
South Carolina pays painters 17% below the national median, ranking 50th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $32.80 |
| South Carolina (50th) | $19.64 |
| National median | $23.75 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $19.28 |
Painter rates by South Carolina metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median painter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $22.84/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Columbia | $22.47/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Spartanburg | $19.28/hr | $40–$60/hr |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $18.59/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $18.54/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Sumter | $18.46/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Florence | $18.46/hr | $40–$55/hr |
Charleston-North Charleston is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for painters, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common painting jobs cost in South Carolina
At South Carolina billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical South Carolina range |
|---|---|
| Single interior room | $250–$750 |
| Whole-home interior | $1,700–$5,400 |
| Exterior house painting | $2,500–$7,500 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $750–$2,900 |
| Trim & baseboard painting | $250–$1,000 |
| Deck / fence staining | $350–$1,250 |
| Drywall patch & paint | $125–$425 |
| Ceiling painting | $175–$575 |
| Garage floor coating | $500–$1,650 |
| Wallpaper removal | $250–$825 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How painters compare to other trades in South Carolina
Here's how painter pay lines up against South Carolina's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $24.36/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Handyman | $23.02/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $22.00/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Painter | $19.64/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Landscaper | $17.65/hr | $40–$55/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free painter estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do painters need a license in South Carolina?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See South Carolina contractor & trade licensing to check whether painters need a state license in South Carolina, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters make in South Carolina?
The median painter in South Carolina earns about $40,840 a year ($19.64/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level painters earn around $27,000 and the most experienced earn $58,000 or more.
Can a painter make $100,000 a year in South Carolina?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of painters in South Carolina earn about $58,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own painting business and billing $45–$60/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do painters charge per hour in South Carolina?
In 2025, most South Carolina painters bill $45–$60 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $20/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do painters earn more in South Carolina than nationally?
South Carolina's median painter wage is about 17% below the national median of $23.75/hr, ranking 50th of 51 states.
Which South Carolina city pays painters the most?
Charleston-North Charleston, at a $22.84/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for painters.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.