How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make in Columbia?
Median yearly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $26.14 an hour or $4,531 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.14
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 78 of 118
- Jobs in the area
- 80
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,490 | $21.87 | |
| 25th | $52,510 | $25.25 | |
| Median | $54,370 | $26.14 | |
| 75th | $59,890 | $28.79 | |
| 90th | $60,470 | $29.07 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators.
| Charlotte, NC | $59,860 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer | $80,830 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $72,800 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $62,410 |
| Electrician | $60,390 |
| Plumber | $52,070 |
| Glazier | $51,310 |
| Insulation Worker | $50,750 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $50,680 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $50,510 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $26.14 ($54,370 a year).
Do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $54,370 against $57,430 nationally, 5% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $52,580, so Columbia pays 3% more.
Where does Columbia rank for excavating and loading machine and dragline operator pay?
78 of 118 metro areas with data.
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,490 or less a year; the top 10% make $60,470 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.