South Carolina Median
$48,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#46 of 51
8,160 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Carolina?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $48,940 per year, or about $23.53 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,720 while the top 10% make $64,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,960 and $57,780 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,720 | $18.62 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,960 | $21.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,940 | $23.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,780 | $27.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,330 | $30.93 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment 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 ($48,940) 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Carolina?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina is $48,940 per year, or about $23.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,720 at the entry level to $64,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 18% less than the national median of $59,850. South Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,940 a year. About 8,160 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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.