Concrete driveway cost in South Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (600 sq ft)
- $3,300 – $8,250
- Per sq ft
- $5.45 – $13.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $6,450
- Metros covered
- 7
Across South Carolina, a concrete driveway costs about $3,300 to $8,250 for 600 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 10% below the US figure of $6,450. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median $23.73 an hour in South Carolina (US: $27.41).
Inside South Carolina, the metros we cover range from $5,500 (Myrtle Beach) to $5,950 (Charleston) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in South Carolina (statewide), standard level
$4,800 to $6,750
About $7.85 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 66% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Labor | $3,100 | $4,600 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $4,800 | $6,750 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in South Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,350 | $1,800 | $2,300 | 31% |
| Labor | $1,950 | $3,850 | $5,750 | 66% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,300 | $5,800 | $8,250 | 100% |
Weather windows across South Carolina
Weather decides when pouring concrete can happen, and South Carolina is not uniform. The table uses NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals from the weather station nearest each metro we cover, and counts the months that are neither cold nor hot enough to complicate the job.
Charleston has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in South Carolina at 12 months; Spartanburg has the shortest at 6 (April through June and August through October). Rainfall runs from 44 inches a year in Columbia to 54 inches in Myrtle Beach.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 35 | 91 | 47 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Columbia | 37 | 93 | 44 | 6: March through May and September through November |
| Charleston | 44 | 88 | 44 | 12: all year |
| Spartanburg | 32 | 90 | 50 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Myrtle Beach | 34 | 87 | 54 | 9: March through November |
| Florence | 36 | 92 | 45 | 7: March through June and September through November |
| Hilton Head | 40 | 92 | 45 | 9: February through June and September through December |
Which South Carolina city is cheapest for concrete driveway?
3 of the 7 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $5,800, and the top-to-bottom gap is 9%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (600 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +3% |
| Hilton Head, SC | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +2% |
| Greenville, SC | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +1% |
| Columbia, SC | $3,300 – $8,300 | $5,800 | level |
| Spartanburg, SC | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −1% |
| Florence, SC | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −5% |
Wages behind the South Carolina number
South Carolina's labor line is priced from 4 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 0.87 times the national level.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.73 an hour, 13% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $21.74 and $29.70 an hour. About 1,930 work in the state. That is 8.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $20.65 an hour, which is 9% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.64 and $23.62 an hour. BLS counts 19,620 of them working in the state, 85.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.53 an hour, 18% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.62 and $27.78 an hour. About 8,160 work in the state. That is 35.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.36 an hour, 16% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.97 and $30.10 an hour. About 6,950 work in the state. That is 30.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for cement masons and concrete finishers ($29.70 an hour) would add about $480 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($21.74) would take off about $160. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,305,080 jobs across South Carolina (May 2025), which is 1.5% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $21.74 | $23.73 | $29.70 | $27.41 | 0.87 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.64 | $20.65 | $23.62 | $22.66 | 0.91 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $21.62 | $23.53 | $27.78 | $28.78 | 0.82 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $20.97 | $24.36 | $30.10 | $29.12 | 0.84 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Why two South Carolina quotes can differ
Thickness
HomeGuide prices a standard 4-inch driveway at $6-$15/sq ft and a 6-inch one, recommended for heavy vehicles, at $8-$20/sq ft.
Old driveway removal
Tearing out the old surface adds about $2-$6 per sq ft, and some cities want the haul-off documented.
Grading and drainage
Professional grading runs $3-$8 per sq ft or $700-$2,500 for a typical job. A sloped lot or poor soil raises it.
Finish
Decorative driveways run $10-$25 per sq ft installed: colors and borders at $10-$15, stamped patterns at $15-$20, and high-end finishes at $20-$25+ (HomeGuide).
Permits and the apron
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 and is often required for new work. The apron where the driveway meets the street can need a separate right-of-way permit.
Basic, standard or premium: South Carolina prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$3,300 to $5,300
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$4,800 to $6,750
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$6,300 to $8,250
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,350 – $2,200 | $1,950 – $2,800 | $2,600 – $3,400 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,250 | $3,850 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,650 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,300 – $5,300 | $4,800 – $6,750 | $6,300 – $8,250 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $4,950 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,100 | $9,350 – $12,300 |
If you are planning more than one job in South Carolina
Each project weights the trades differently, so South Carolina's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, asphalt driveway is −7% and paver patio −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,800 | −7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,350 | −9% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,300 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $4,950 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,650 | −9% |
South Carolina versus the states around it
South Carolina ranks 42 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for concrete driveway, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $9,600 and the cheapest Mississippi at $5,400, both for 600 sq ft at the midpoint. South Carolina sits at $5,800. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 120 miles away | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,750 | −1% |
| Georgia | 180 miles away | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,600 | −3% |
| Virginia | 300 miles away | $3,450 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +5% |
| West Virginia | 340 miles away | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,900 | +2% |
| Tennessee | 350 miles away | $3,300 – $8,300 | $5,800 | level |
Optional extras in South Carolina
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.92 for South Carolina, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.87) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $550 – $1,650 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,100 – $3,300 |
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 $4,800 to $6,750 for South Carolina is attached.
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Concrete driveway in South Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in South Carolina?
$3,300 to $8,250 for 600 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside South Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in South Carolina is cheapest for concrete driveway?
Myrtle Beach at about $5,500 (midpoint, 600 sq ft). The priciest is Charleston at $5,950.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in South Carolina than the US average?
It is 10% cheaper: $5,800 against $6,450 for 600 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in South Carolina?
About 66% ($3,850). Materials are 31%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.87x the national wage level.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in South Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $23.73 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.74 to $29.70.
+Where does South Carolina rank for concrete driveway costs?
42nd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $5,800 for 600 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in South Carolina?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,300 to $5,300 and premium work $6,300 to $8,250. Basic means: plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site. Premium means: 6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed.
+Does the season matter for concrete driveway in South Carolina?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the South Carolina metros we cover, Charleston has the most comfortable months (12 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in South Carolina?
$550 to $1,650 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway by city in South Carolina
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 a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (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 = SimplyWise's sample 600 sq ft, 4-inch driveway line ($1,400-$2,400 in materials) divided by 600 sq ft.