South Carolina Median
$52,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#36 of 49
330 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in South Carolina?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $52,580 per year, or about $25.28 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $57,430 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,020 while the top 10% make $61,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,260 and $58,980 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,260 | $22.24 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,580 | $25.28 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,730 | $29.68 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other states
North Dakota $90,380Illinois $80,600New Jersey $80,310Wyoming $78,230New Mexico $76,350Massachusetts $76,070Alaska $74,680California $74,500Montana $65,850Connecticut $65,710Washington $64,270Nevada $63,810Indiana $61,910West Virginia $61,330Oregon $61,280Minnesota $61,260Colorado $61,020Arizona $60,310Vermont $59,790Rhode Island $59,590Virginia $59,480Iowa $59,390Michigan $59,040Idaho $58,670North Carolina $58,620New Hampshire $58,540Nebraska $58,370Wisconsin $58,280Ohio $58,240New York $58,120Maryland $57,610Missouri $56,760Maine $55,890Utah $54,330Louisiana $53,510Pennsylvania $52,350Florida $51,990Georgia $50,290Tennessee $49,500Texas $49,000Kansas $48,950Mississippi $48,490South Dakota $48,250Kentucky $47,780Alabama $47,770Oklahoma $47,100Delaware $46,900Arkansas $46,170
Working as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in South Carolina
Nationally, about 34,000 people work as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($52,580) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in South Carolina?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in South Carolina is $52,580 per year, or about $25.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,020 at the entry level to $61,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 8% less than the national median of $57,430. South Carolina ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,580 a year. About 330 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.