Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,720
- 25th Percentile — Junior$44,960
- 50th Percentile — Median$48,940
- 75th Percentile — Senior$57,780
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,330
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Carolina earn more than $48,940. The top 10% make $64,330 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,720.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $51,640 per year (22.1% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 8,160 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Carolina — 1.7% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.15: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,720; the top 10% earn over $64,330.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.83 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($77,790).
Operating Engineers and Equipment 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. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $51,640 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $51,640 is roughly equivalent to $58,682 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, West Virginia ($54,480), Texas ($53,740), Florida ($52,590) are the closest alternatives for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $77,790/yr South Carolina +50.6% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $60,040/yr South Carolina +16.3% vs this role
- Electricians $59,030/yr South Carolina +14.3% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $55,890/yr South Carolina +8.2% vs this role
- Carpenters $55,350/yr South Carolina +7.2% vs this role
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $54,150/yr South Carolina +4.9% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $53,210/yr South Carolina +3.0% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $53,200/yr South Carolina +3.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina is $51,640 per year (median $48,940), which is 22.1% below the national average of $66,290.
How does South Carolina rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
South Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($102,020/yr).
How much do entry-level Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Carolina earn about $38,720 per year and the 25th percentile is $44,960.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in South Carolina?
About $24.83 per hour, based on the $51,640 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 8,160 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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