Inground pool cost in South Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (450 sq ft)
- $32,700 – $102,000
- Per sq ft
- $72.50 – $226
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $74,500
- Metros covered
- 7
What does it cost to install an inground pool in South Carolina? Plan on $32,700 to $102,000 for 450 sq ft. Wages (0.85x the US blend), materials (price index 96.3) and permit costs (93.7) put the state below the national midpoint by 9%.
Inside South Carolina, the metros we cover range from $64,900 (Myrtle Beach) to $68,700 (Hilton Head) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your inground pool cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in South Carolina (statewide), standard level
$53,500 to $81,300
About $119 to $180 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,400 |
| Labor | $26,200 | $39,700 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $53,500 | $81,300 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in South Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 51% |
| Labor | $16,100 | $33,000 | $49,800 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $32,700 | $67,400 | $102,000 | 100% |
How South Carolina compares with nearby states
South Carolina ranks 44 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for inground pool, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $102,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $64,300, both for 450 sq ft at the midpoint. South Carolina sits at $67,400. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 120 miles away | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,500 | +2% |
| Georgia | 180 miles away | $32,600 – $102,000 | $67,200 | level |
| Virginia | 300 miles away | $34,800 – $108,500 | $71,800 | +6% |
| West Virginia | 340 miles away | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | level |
| Tennessee | 350 miles away | $34,300 – $107,000 | $70,800 | +5% |
South Carolina seasons and inground pool
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 |
South Carolina metro-by-metro prices
4 of the 7 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $67,400, and the top-to-bottom gap is 6%. 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 (450 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head, SC | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | +2% |
| Charleston, SC | $33,000 – $103,500 | $68,200 | +1% |
| Florence, SC | $33,000 – $103,000 | $68,100 | +1% |
| Greenville, SC | $32,900 – $102,500 | $67,800 | +1% |
| Columbia, SC | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −1% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $32,400 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | −4% |
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 small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$32,700 to $60,500
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$53,500 to $81,300
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$74,400 to $102,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $29,100 – $53,800 | $47,600 – $72,300 | $66,100 – $90,800 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $37,200 – $68,800 | $60,900 – $92,500 | $84,600 – $116,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $58,000 – $107,500 | $95,000 – $144,500 | $132,000 – $181,500 |
Related projects, priced for 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, aluminum fence is −7% and retaining wall −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $4,950 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,650 | −9% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,900 – $13,900 | −9% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,250 – $12,300 | −10% |
Why two South Carolina quotes can differ
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
What construction laborers and the other trades earn in South Carolina
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 0.85 times the national level.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) 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), 30% 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.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.56 an hour, which is 21% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.85 and $29.66 an hour. BLS counts 410 of them working in the state, 1.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $25.93 an hour, 15% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.31 and $30.77 an hour. About 5,770 work in the state. That is 25.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($23.62 an hour) would add about $2,050 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($17.64) would take off about $2,050. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.64 | $20.65 | $23.62 | $22.66 | 0.91 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.62 | $23.53 | $27.78 | $28.78 | 0.82 | state |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.85 | $23.56 | $29.66 | $29.87 | 0.79 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.31 | $25.93 | $30.77 | $30.67 | 0.85 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
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 $53,500 to $81,300 for South Carolina is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for South Carolina: 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.
Inground pool in South Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in South Carolina?
$32,700 to $102,000 for 450 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 inground pool?
Myrtle Beach at about $64,900 (midpoint, 450 sq ft). The priciest is Hilton Head at $68,700.
+Is inground pool cheaper in South Carolina than the US average?
It is 9% cheaper: $67,400 against $74,500 for 450 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in South Carolina?
About 49% ($33,000). Materials are 51%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.85x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in South Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $20.65 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.64 to $23.62.
+Where does South Carolina rank for inground pool costs?
44th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $67,400 for 450 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in South Carolina?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,700 to $60,500 and premium work $74,400 to $102,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+Does the season matter for inground pool 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.
Inground pool 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 An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (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 = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.