Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Columbia, SC
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $48,410 a year ($23.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,230 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $48,940. There are 2.8 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| 25th percentile | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| Median | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| 75th percentile | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Average (mean) | $50,580 | $24.32 |
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 | $4,034.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,017.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,861.92 |
| Weekly | $930.96 |
| Hourly | $23.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,410 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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $50,640 | 1,470 |
| Sumter, SC | $50,340 | 220 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $48,980 | 1,130 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $48,940 | 650 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,680 | $24.36 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Glazier | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Roofer | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Pipelayer | $44,190 | $21.25 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $48,410 a year, or $23.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $62,230 a year. The top 25% earn $56,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,150 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $43,310 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,120 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.