Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $47,160 -19.7% vs national
Median hourly $22.67
10th percentile $37,460
90th percentile $60,090
Employed locally 1,100
National median $58,710

Compare Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary & buying power

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,460
    25th
    $40,600
    50th (median)
    $47,160
    75th
    $50,790
    90th
    $60,090

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 71% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Urban Honolulu, HI $109,740
    Hawaii $105,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950

    Nearby metros — Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    Wisconsin $72,650
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $71,450
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $68,560
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $63,580
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $62,260

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $40,600
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $72,980
    Electricians $61,220
    Carpenters $47,060
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $49,880
    Construction and Building Inspectors $59,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Columbia, SC is $22.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.92 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Columbia, SC is 19.7% below the national median of $58,710. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Columbia?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,460 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,600.