How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Charleston?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $24.35 an hour or $4,220 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.35
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 271 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,540 | $19.49 | |
| 25th | $48,660 | $23.39 | |
| Median | $50,640 | $24.35 | |
| 75th | $61,750 | $29.69 | |
| 90th | $72,090 | $34.66 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| Charlotte, NC | $50,870 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $50,740 |
| Sumter, SC | $50,340 |
| Greenville, SC | $48,980 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $48,940 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,410 |
| Augusta, GA | $48,190 |
| Florence, SC | $48,000 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $47,000 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $77,470 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $60,140 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,650 |
| Electrician | $59,010 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $57,780 |
| Plumber | $57,360 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $52,560 |
| Floor Layer | $52,000 |
| Carpenter | $50,380 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $49,420 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $24.35 ($50,640 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $50,640 against $59,850 nationally, 15% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $48,940, so Charleston pays 3% more.
Where does Charleston rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
271 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,540 or less a year; the top 10% make $72,090 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.