verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in South Carolina

Median Annual in South Carolina
$48,940/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$23.53/hr
▼ 18% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Carolina

groups Employed in SC
8,160
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$52,203 #47 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in South Carolina, explained

Heavy equipment operators in South Carolina earn a median of $48,940 per year ($23.53 per hour), which is 18% below the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $38,720, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $64,330. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Carolina.

Is $48,940 good pay in South Carolina?

Adjusted for South Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $48,940 is worth about $52,203 in national buying power — ranking South Carolina #47 for real pay (vs #46 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in South Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,720
$18.62/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$48,940
$23.53/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$64,330
$30.93/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SC
South Carolina (here) $48,940 $52,203
North Carolina $49,310 $52,276 −$370
Georgia $47,880 $49,723 +$1,060

Heavy Equipment Operator in South Carolina: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in South Carolina?

Heavy equipment operators in South Carolina earn a median of $48,940 per year ($23.53 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does South Carolina pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $48,940, South Carolina pays 18% below the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 8,160 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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