Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Columbia, SC
Agricultural Equipment Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $31,820 a year ($15.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,150 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $41,730. Pay here is 8% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,490. There are 0.50 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| 25th percentile | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| Median | $31,820 | $15.30 |
| 75th percentile | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Average (mean) | $33,810 | $16.25 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,651.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,325.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,223.85 |
| Weekly | $611.92 |
| Hourly | $15.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,890 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
See Agricultural Equipment Operator pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,350 | $23.73 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $31,820 a year, or $15.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $39,150 a year. The top 25% earn $36,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,680 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $31,680 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 200 agricultural equipment operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.