Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

RankStateMedian salary
1North Dakota$90,380
2Illinois$80,600
3New Jersey$80,310
4Wyoming$78,230
5New Mexico$76,350

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

Related salaries

Insulation Worker, Mechanical

$58,340
median pay · 26,000 employed

Helpers--Carpenters

$43,780
median pay · 22,000 employed

Painters, Construction and Maintenance

$49,400
median pay · 225,000 employed

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

$56,460
median pay · 24,000 employed

Helpers--Electricians

$42,670
median pay · 64,000 employed

Glazier

$57,080
median pay · 58,000 employed
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.