Insulation · SC

Insulation costs in Columbia, SC

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only

Mean hourly wage
$26.19
Median hourly
$24.4
p10 – p90
$20.04 – $32.62

How this market compares

Skip the generic national blog post — this page is the Columbia Insulation slice of OEWS May 2025.

Mean Insulation pay here is $26.19/hr — national rank 49 of 135 areas that publish this occupation. Compared with other SC areas that report Insulation wages, this market is #2 of 4. The published p10–p90 band runs $20.04 to $32.62 (a $12.58 spread around the $26.19 mean; median $24.40).

OEWS counts about 110 Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall jobs in this area. Nationwide that occupation is about 44,440. Sample jobs: Attic Insulation (blown cellulose top-up) mid estimate $1,262 here vs $1,265 U.S. (0% below).

Same-state comparison: Greenville-Anderson-Greer ($25.00, 1.19 lower); Charleston-North Charleston ($21.55, 4.64 lower); Florence.

Sample project ranges

ProjectLowMidHigh
Attic Insulation (blown cellulose top-up) (default size)$710$1,262$2,278

Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)

Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.

Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.

What usually moves the number

Getting quotes without the circus

  1. Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
  2. Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
  3. Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.

Check our math

BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses

Insulation (47-2131)$26.19/hr mean

Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.

Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.

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Gear people often ask about

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Thermostats

A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.

Partner options
Water heaters

Tank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.

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Warranties & financing

Read the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.

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Monthly wage & cost note

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