Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in South Carolina
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Carolina was $48,940 -18.2% vs national
South Carolina vs United States
| South Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $48,940 | $59,850 |
| Median hourly | $23.53 | $28.78 |
| Employment | 8,160 | 478,090 |
| Location quotient | 1.15 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (South Carolina) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
What this means
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $38,720, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $64,330 — a 1.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $23.53 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $48,942 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $48,940.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in South Carolina?
The median annual wage in South Carolina is $48,940 ($23.53 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
The South Carolina median of $48,940 is 18.2% lower than the U.S. median of $59,850.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in South Carolina?
Approximately 8,160 are employed in South Carolina, per BLS OES.