Cutting Machine Operators Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$34,000
- 25th Percentile — Junior$39,230
- 50th Percentile — Median$44,420
- 75th Percentile — Senior$49,290
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,410
Half of Cutting Machine Operators in South Carolina earn more than $44,420. The top 10% make $62,410 or more, while entry-level workers start around $34,000.
Cutting Machine Operators in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 37th of 49 states for Cutting Machine Operators pay, at $45,540 per year (6.0% below the U.S. average of $48,430).
- 4,100 people work as Cutting Machine Operators in South Carolina — 2.4% of all U.S. Cutting Machine Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.62: Cutting Machine Operators jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,000; the top 10% earn over $62,410.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.89 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Oregon at $55,390.
- Among manufacturing jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Production Workers pays the most ($78,250).
Cutting Machine Operators Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Cutting Machine Operators here earn $45,540 on average, placing the state 37th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $45,540 is roughly equivalent to $51,750 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($46,870), Nevada ($46,710), Ohio ($46,370) are the closest alternatives for Cutting Machine Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Manufacturing Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Production Workers $78,250/yr South Carolina +71.8% vs this role
- Machinists $57,030/yr South Carolina +25.2% vs this role
- Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Operators $53,390/yr South Carolina +17.2% vs this role
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters $49,320/yr South Carolina +8.3% vs this role
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,940/yr South Carolina +5.3% vs this role
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers $46,240/yr South Carolina +1.5% vs this role
- Printing Press Operators $42,850/yr South Carolina 5.9% vs this role
- Butchers and Meat Cutters $40,620/yr South Carolina 10.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cutting Machine Operators salary in South Carolina?
The average Cutting Machine Operators salary in South Carolina is $45,540 per year (median $44,420), which is 6.0% below the national average of $48,430.
How does South Carolina rank for Cutting Machine Operators pay?
South Carolina ranks 37th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is Oregon ($55,390/yr).
How much do entry-level Cutting Machine Operators make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cutting Machine Operators in South Carolina earn about $34,000 per year and the 25th percentile is $39,230.
How much do Cutting Machine Operators make per hour in South Carolina?
About $21.89 per hour, based on the $45,540 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cutting Machine Operators work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 4,100 Cutting Machine Operators jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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