South Carolina Median
$49,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#20 of 36
370 employed here
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in South Carolina?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in South Carolina take home a median of $49,490 annually — roughly $23.79 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $50,620.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,090 while the top 10% make $68,260 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,820 and $61,960 a year.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,090 | $18.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,490 | $23.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,960 | $29.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,260 | $32.82 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 20th out of 36 states and territories for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other states
Colorado $71,670Maine $64,800Minnesota $61,000Massachusetts $60,870California $60,180Alabama $58,490Nevada $58,240Pennsylvania $57,020Arizona $55,840Illinois $54,930Maryland $54,860North Carolina $53,840West Virginia $53,660Wisconsin $51,020New York $50,760Louisiana $50,560Iowa $50,370Georgia $50,180Ohio $49,880Indiana $49,420Connecticut $49,380New Hampshire $48,980Missouri $48,950Virginia $48,920New Jersey $48,180Texas $48,020Nebraska $47,350Kansas $47,310Kentucky $47,060Michigan $46,680Florida $44,710Oklahoma $43,680Oregon $41,640Tennessee $40,730Arkansas $39,060
Working as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in South Carolina
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 ($49,490) 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in South Carolina?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in South Carolina is $49,490 per year, or about $23.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,090 at the entry level to $68,260 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 2% less than the national median of $50,620. South Carolina ranks 20th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,490 a year. About 370 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report
Related salaries
$41,330
median pay · 7,000 employed
$43,530
median pay · 15,000 employed
$41,640
median pay · 14,000 employed
$48,570
median pay · 597,000 employed
$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed
$46,460
median pay · 12,000 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.