How much does a motor vehicle operator make in Charleston?
$29,590a year
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $14.23 an hour or $2,466 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.23
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 140 of 168
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,720Median: $29,590Highest 10%: $57,620
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,720 | $11.40 | |
| 25th | $24,110 | $11.59 | |
| Median | $29,590 | $14.23 | |
| 75th | $48,340 | $23.24 | |
| 90th | $57,620 | $27.70 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators.
| Augusta, GA | $31,200 |
| Charlotte, NC | $29,410 |
| Greenville, SC | $25,770 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial Pilot | $119,000 |
| Ship Engineer | $98,450 |
| Captain | $91,000 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $80,880 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $63,440 |
| Sailor and Marine Oiler | $59,100 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $55,150 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,890 |
| Bus Driver | $46,460 |
| Bus Driver | $40,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a motor vehicle operator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $14.23 ($29,590 a year).
Do motor vehicle operators make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $29,590 against $37,180 nationally, 20% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $27,840, so Charleston pays 6% more.
Where does Charleston rank for motor vehicle operator pay?
140 of 168 metro areas with data.
How much does a motor vehicle operator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,720 or less a year; the top 10% make $57,620 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.