Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in South Carolina
Agricultural Equipment Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $34,490 a year ($16.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,180 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $41,730. South Carolina ranks 37th of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.16 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| 25th percentile | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| Median | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| 75th percentile | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Average (mean) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,874.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,437.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,326.54 |
| Weekly | $663.27 |
| Hourly | $16.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,890 | 100 |
| Columbia, SC | $31,820 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Faller | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $44,370 | $21.33 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in South Carolina?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in South Carolina is $34,490 a year, or $16.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in South Carolina earn at least $46,180 a year. The top 25% earn $37,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,370 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $31,680 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in South Carolina?
About 380 agricultural equipment operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.