Trades & Labor North Charleston, SC Pop. 115,382

Painter Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina

The median painter salary in North Charleston, SC is $42,465 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$42,465
vs State Avg
+$2,682
vs National
$-2,235
Cost of Living
95%

Painter Pay in North Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

North Charleston offers a median painter salary of $42,465, which is $2,682 above the South Carolina state average of $39,783. Compared to the national median of $44,700, North Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

North Charleston's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for painters in North Charleston spans from $28,500 at the 10th percentile to $66,500 at the 90th percentile — a $38,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,450, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $62,700. With a population of 115,382, North Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Painter Salary in North Charleston by Experience

In North Charleston, an entry-level painter earns around $29,450, while experienced professionals earn up to $62,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,450
$-1,550 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,750
$-2,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$62,700
$-3,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in North Charleston, SC

Percentile North Charleston
10th Percentile $28,500
25th Percentile $34,200
Median (50th) $42,465
75th Percentile $54,150
90th Percentile $66,500

Painter Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$46,935
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$44,700
Pop. 150,227
Greenville, SC
$41,124
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$40,230
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Painter in North Charleston

Education

Most painter positions require a high school diploma. North Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Surface PreparationPaint ApplicationColor MatchingSpray EquipmentSafetyBlueprint Reading

Job Outlook

Nationally, painter employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in North Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Painter Jobs in North Charleston

Browse open painter positions in North Charleston, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in North Charleston

How much does a Painter make in North Charleston, SC? ▼
The median painter salary in North Charleston, South Carolina is $42,465 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $28,500 (10th percentile) to $66,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in North Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,465, a painter in North Charleston earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does North Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for painter pay? ▼
North Charleston's median painter salary of $42,465 is 6.7% above the South Carolina state average of $39,783. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in North Charleston, SC? ▼
North Charleston has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a painter salary of $42,465 in North Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in North Charleston? ▼
Most painter positions in North Charleston require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surface Preparation, Paint Application, Color Matching, Spray Equipment. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.