How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Columbia?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $23.27 an hour or $4,034 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.27
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 317 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,150 | $18.34 | |
| 25th | $43,310 | $20.82 | |
| Median | $48,410 | $23.27 | |
| 75th | $56,270 | $27.05 | |
| 90th | $62,230 | $29.92 |
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 |
| Charleston, SC | $50,640 |
| Sumter, SC | $50,340 |
| Greenville, SC | $48,980 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $48,940 |
| Augusta, GA | $48,190 |
| Florence, SC | $48,000 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $47,000 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $23.27 ($48,410 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $48,410 against $59,850 nationally, 19% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $48,940, so Columbia pays 1% less.
Where does Columbia rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
317 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,150 or less a year; the top 10% make $62,230 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.