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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in South Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$48,940
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.1% vs 2024
$51,640
Mean Salary
$48,940
Median Salary
$23.53
Hourly Rate
8,160 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by percentile in South Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina earn a median salary of $48,940 per year ($4,078/month).
This is 23.6% below the national average of $64,047.
South Carolina ranks #46 out of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 8,160 people work in this occupation across South Carolina.
Salaries increased by 3.1% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Top Skills
Operation and Control
4.12
Operations Monitoring
3.25
Equipment Maintenance
3.25
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
3.56
English Language
3.33
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Mathematics
2.81
Administration and Management
2.78
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
(1.4% of workers)
Salary Range: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina range from $38,720 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $64,330 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $44,960 and $57,780.
Median $48,940
P10: $38,720P25: $44,960P75: $57,780P90: $64,330
10th
$38,720
25th
$44,960
Median
$48,940
75th
$57,780
90th
$64,330
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$38,720
$18.62
$3,226
25th Percentile
$44,960
$21.62
$3,746
Median (50th)
$48,940
$23.53
$4,078
75th Percentile
$57,780
$27.78
$4,815
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$64,330
$30.93
$5,360
Note: The mean (average) salary of $51,640 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#46
South Carolina ranks #46 of 51 states
$64,047
National avg. for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Carolina?
The median annual salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina is $48,940 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $51,640.
What is the salary range for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina?
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina range from $38,720 at the 10th percentile to $64,330 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $44,960 and $57,780.
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 Operators positions in South Carolina typically start around $38,720 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $44,960 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 8,160 people are employed as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Carolina is approximately $23.53 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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