South Carolina Median
$67,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $87,820
State Rank
#40 of 43
280 employed here
How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in South Carolina?
Gas Plant Operators in South Carolina take home a median of $67,580 annually — roughly $32.49 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $87,820.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $45,870 while the top 10% make $89,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,340 and $84,270 a year.
Gas Plant Operator salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,870 | $22.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,340 | $24.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,580 | $32.49 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,270 | $40.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,960 | $43.25 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 40th out of 43 states and territories for Gas Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Gas Plant Operator salary in other states
California $130,220New Jersey $110,900Oregon $109,760Connecticut $109,060Louisiana $108,350Arizona $104,600Massachusetts $103,830Maryland $102,950South Dakota $101,450Arkansas $100,870Michigan $100,500Minnesota $100,500New York $98,390Utah $98,300Colorado $98,080Illinois $97,810New Mexico $97,660North Dakota $96,760Maine $93,990Iowa $92,970Missouri $87,820Nebraska $87,790Virginia $86,500Indiana $85,790Wisconsin $85,080Washington $83,650Montana $83,630West Virginia $82,600Ohio $82,130Mississippi $81,600Wyoming $81,550North Carolina $81,460Georgia $81,220Pennsylvania $80,810Kansas $80,760Texas $79,910Idaho $79,280Oklahoma $78,310Alabama $77,120Florida $67,170Tennessee $66,560Kentucky $63,070
Working as a Gas Plant Operator in South Carolina
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Gas Plant Operators 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 ($67,580) 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 does a Gas Plant Operator make in South Carolina?
The median Gas Plant Operator salary in South Carolina is $67,580 per year, or about $32.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,870 at the entry level to $89,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Gas Plant Operators about 23% less than the national median of $87,820. South Carolina ranks 40th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Gas Plant Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $67,580 a year. About 280 Gas Plant Operators 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 Gas Plant Operator 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.