Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $48,940 a year ($23.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,330 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $59,850. South Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 3.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,720 | $18.61 |
| 25th percentile | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| Median | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| 75th percentile | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Average (mean) | $51,640 | $24.83 |
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 | $4,078.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,039.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,882.31 |
| Weekly | $941.15 |
| Hourly | $23.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,940 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 cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| 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.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Electrician | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| Carpenter | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Roofer | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Glazier | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Pipelayer | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,950 | $22.57 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Carolina is $48,940 a year, or $23.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Carolina earn at least $64,330 a year. The top 25% earn $57,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,720 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $44,960 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in South Carolina?
About 8,160 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.