South Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states and D.C. for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($105,440) by $57,960 — a 122% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $36,970 to $61,020 — a $24,050 spread, 60% tighter than the national $60,610 range.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are more concentrated in South Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.22 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.22× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| 25th percentile | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 75th percentile | $53,520 | $25.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Mean (average) | $48,670 | $23.40 |
How South Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (current) | $47,480 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $105,440 | +122% |
| Illinois | $96,980 | +104% |
| California | $89,120 | +88% |
| New Jersey | $84,170 | +77% |
| New York | $80,260 | +69% |
| Washington | $79,190 | +67% |
| Minnesota | $78,580 | +66% |
| Connecticut | $76,690 | +62% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,440 | 1,290 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,430 | 1,770 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $47,550 | 5,810 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $47,220 | 2,680 |
| Biological Technicians | $47,190 | 430 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,770 | 530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina?
The mean operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in South Carolina is $48,670 per year. The median (middle) salary is $47,480 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorss (10th percentile) in South Carolina typically earn around $36,970 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $40,600 per year.
What is the highest Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in South Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Carolina make approximately $61,020 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $53,520 per year.
How does the South Carolina Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary compare to the national average?
The median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in South Carolina is $47,480, which is -19% below national average of $58,710.