ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Pipefitter Salary
in Columbia, SC

Install and maintain pipe systems for gas, water, steam, and other fluids. Median salary in Columbia: $65K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$65K
per year
Take-home: $42K

Salary range in Columbia

Entry level (25th)$50,000
Median (50th)$65,000
Senior (75th)$83,000
Top earner (90th)$106,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Columbia, South Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Columbia

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

10% discount vs national median

Pipefitters in Columbia earn approximately 10% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $7,000 discount on annual base salary. Columbia's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 32% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Columbia ($1,100/mo) consumes approximately 32% of an after-tax median Pipefitter salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($83K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 0% of Pipefitter positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Columbia salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Columbia

Median salary
$65K
annual
Take-home pay
$42K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,100
per month
YoY growth
+4.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Columbia Pipefitter to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $65K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Columbia

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Pipefitter salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$54K$59K$64K$69K$74K201920212023202520272029
2026
$67K
projected
2027
$68K
projected
2028
$70K
projected
2029
$72K
projected
2030
$74K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$65,000+$0
2028 projected$65,000+$0
2029 projected$65,000+$0
2030 projected$65,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Pipefitter Salary in Columbia, South Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Pipefitter salary in Columbia, SC is $65,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Columbia–SC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Pipefitter in Columbia

Entry-level Pipefitters in Columbia with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $65,000 to $83,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $83,000 to $106,000 or more.

Cost of living in Columbia for Pipefitters

Columbia has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Columbia than the national average. South Carolina has a 6.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Pipefitter

Apprenticeship program; journeyman license. 0% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Pipefitter salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Columbia (current)$65K88
Charleston$73K105
North Charleston$68K95
Greenville$66K92