Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $23.53 an hour ($48,940 a year). About 8,160 people work in this job there.
That is 18% lower than the U.S. median ($59,850). South Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.61 | $38,720 |
| 25% of workers | $21.62 | $44,960 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.53 | $48,940 |
| 75% of workers | $27.78 | $57,780 |
| 90% of workers | $30.93 | $64,330 |
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $50,740 | 320 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $50,640 | 1,470 |
| Sumter | $50,340 | 220 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $48,980 | 1,130 |
| Spartanburg | $48,940 | 650 |
| Columbia | $48,410 | 1,120 |
| Florence | $48,000 | 250 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $47,000 | 980 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.6% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 39,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $42,940 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $59,180 |
| Millwrights | $61,700 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $64,120 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,950 |
| Electricians | $58,740 |
| Carpenters | $50,670 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.