Asphalt driveway cost in Florence, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,850 – $6,850
- Per sq ft
- $4.70 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #220
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Florence area: $2,850 to $6,850 for 600 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 7% lower than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $22.57 an hour in the Florence area, 12% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Florence, SC, standard level
$4,050 to $5,650
About $6.60 to $9.20 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,250 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $4,050 | $5,650 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Florence, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 59% |
| Labor | $900 | $1,900 | $2,850 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,850 | $4,850 | $6,850 | 100% |
Where the Florence price comes from
Labor is 39% of the midpoint bill here, against 41% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (40%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Florence the blended ratio comes out at 0.88. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the South Carolina statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Florence is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,850 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 86.8: $45 to $170.
Data note: 40% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Florence. The wage table below marks each row.
Related projects, priced for Florence
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Florence wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (−8%) and concrete driveway lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | −11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,400 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,000 | −8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −10% |
Optional extras in Florence
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.92 for Florence, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.88) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $550 – $1,100 |
Florence: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Florence. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft.
Basic
$2,850 to $4,450
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,050 to $5,650
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,250 to $6,850
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,150 – $1,850 | $1,650 – $2,350 | $2,150 – $2,850 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,900 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,800 | $3,550 – $4,600 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $4,450 | $4,050 – $5,650 | $5,250 – $6,850 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,700 – $7,350 | $6,700 – $9,300 | $8,650 – $11,300 |
Who does the work: Florence trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Florence the blend is 0.88.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Florence metro, so we used the South Carolina statewide median: $22.57 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.31 and $23.63 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $21.75 an hour, which is 4% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.11 and $26.11 an hour. BLS counts 650 of them working in the area, 73.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.08 an hour, 20% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.08 and $27.20 an hour. About 250 work in the metro. That is 28.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $35 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 0.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Florence has 89,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 221st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $19.31 | $22.57 | $23.63 | $25.64 | 0.88 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.11 | $21.75 | $26.11 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.08 | $23.08 | $27.20 | $28.78 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Why two Florence quotes can differ
Sealcoating
Sealing is $1-$2 per sq ft and is a maintenance cost, not part of the install.
New versus overlay
Resurfacing an existing driveway runs $3-$7 per sq ft; a full new driveway runs $5-$12+ (HomeGuide). Tearing out and replacing one is higher still.
Base work
Four to eight inches of compacted aggregate under the asphalt is where cheap quotes cut corners. Base typically runs $1-$3 per sq ft.
Florence against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Florence. Charleston is the lowest at about $4,750 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence, SCthis page | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | |
| Myrtle Beach, SC50 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −2% |
| Columbia, SC70 miles | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −1% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | level |
| Charleston, SC80 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −2% |
| Charlotte, NC90 miles | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,900 | +2% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Florence ranks #220 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Florence is 0% above the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | level |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −1% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −2% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −2% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Florence against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | +16% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $3,350 – $8,500 | $5,900 | +22% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | +3% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −4% |
The best months for asphalt driveway in Florence
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Florence Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Florence are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Florence gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.8 inches in July). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.0 and 2.6 inches. The station averages about 70 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57 | 36 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 39 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 44 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 52 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 61 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 69 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 72 | 5.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 71 | 4.9 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 66 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 77 | 54 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 44 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 38 | 3.5 | Workable |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $4,050 to $5,650 for Florence, SC is attached.
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Multi-page report for Florence, SC: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Asphalt driveway in Florence: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Florence?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,850 to $6,850 in the Florence area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $5,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Florence?
About $4.70 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Florence or Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,750, which is 2% less than Florence ($4,850). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Florence?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $1,900 out of $4,850. Materials are 59% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Florence?
$2,850 to $6,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Florence?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $170 for fees in the Florence area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Florence expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Florence is 0% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($4,850 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Florence?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.57 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.31 to $23.63.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Florence?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,850 to $4,450 and premium work $5,250 to $6,850. Basic means: new topcoat over a sound base, flat lot. Premium means: full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth.
+When is the best time to pave a driveway in Florence?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. February and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add a sealcoat" add in Florence?
$550 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Florence
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Paving an Asphalt Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- PaveGauge: Asphalt Driveway Cost (2026): Price by Size (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = hot-mix asphalt ($2.30-$3.60/sq ft at 3 in) plus aggregate base ($1-$3/sq ft) from PaveGauge's component table.