Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Columbia, SC
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $54,370 a year ($26.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,470 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $57,430. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $52,580. There are 0.20 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| 25th percentile | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Median | $54,370 | $26.14 |
| 75th percentile | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Average (mean) | $54,870 | $26.38 |
Half of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining 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 | $4,530.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,265.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,091.15 |
| Weekly | $1,045.58 |
| Hourly | $26.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,860 | 200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $56,570 | 30 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $49,520 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $90,380 |
| Illinois | $80,600 |
| New Jersey | $80,310 |
| Wyoming | $78,230 |
| New Mexico | $76,350 |
| Massachusetts | $76,070 |
| Alaska | $74,680 |
| California | $74,500 |
| Montana | $65,850 |
| Connecticut | $65,710 |
See Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,680 | $24.36 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Glazier | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Roofer | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $38,830 | $18.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5022. 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 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Columbia, SC metro area is $54,370 a year, or $26.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $60,470 a year. The top 25% earn $59,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,490 a year, and a quarter of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn $52,510 or less.
How many excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining work in Columbia, SC?
About 80 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.