Machinist Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Machinists in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$57,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $58,750
State Rank
#31 of 51
3,790 employed here

How much does a Machinist make in South Carolina?

A Machinist working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $57,970 per year, or about $27.87 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $58,750 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,270 while the top 10% make $75,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,970 and $65,290 a year.

Machinist salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,270$18.40
25th percentile (early career)$46,970$22.58
50th percentile (median)$57,970$27.87
75th percentile (experienced)$65,290$31.39
90th percentile (top earners)$75,650$36.37

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories for Machinist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$84,410
2Alaska$77,670
3District of Columbia$72,900
4Massachusetts$67,270
5Washington$66,160

Working as a Machinist in South Carolina

Nationally, about 287,000 people work as Machinists 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 ($57,970) 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 Machinist make in South Carolina?
The median Machinist salary in South Carolina is $57,970 per year, or about $27.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,270 at the entry level to $75,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Machinists about 1% less than the national median of $58,750. South Carolina ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Machinists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,970 a year. About 3,790 Machinists 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 Machinist 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.