Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $50,640 a year ($24.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,090 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $48,940. There are 3.7 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| 25th percentile | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Median | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| 75th percentile | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Average (mean) | $54,890 | $26.39 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction 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 | $4,220 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,110 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,947.69 |
| Weekly | $973.85 |
| Hourly | $24.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,640 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.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,870 | 4,440 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $50,740 | 320 |
| Sumter, SC | $50,340 | 220 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $48,980 | 1,130 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $48,940 | 650 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,410 | 1,120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $48,190 | 670 |
| Florence, SC | $48,000 | 250 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $47,000 | 980 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,630 | $20.98 |
| Electrician | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Carpenter | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $52,560 | $25.27 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Pipelayer | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Roofer | $48,040 | $23.09 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $38,670 | $18.59 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. 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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $50,640 a year, or $24.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $72,090 a year. The top 25% earn $61,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,540 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $48,660 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 1,470 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.