Logging Equipment Operator salary in Columbia, SC
Logging Equipment Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $49,350 a year ($23.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,580 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $49,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $47,650. There are 0.15 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| 25th percentile | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Median | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| 75th percentile | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Average (mean) | $51,980 | $24.99 |
Half of logging 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 | $4,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,056.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,898.08 |
| Weekly | $949.04 |
| Hourly | $23.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Logging Equipment Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $51,270 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,370 | 150 |
| Florence, SC | $48,770 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $47,170 | 30 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $46,260 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for logging equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 |
| Illinois | $71,100 |
| Texas | $62,890 |
| California | $61,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Montana | $56,530 |
| Idaho | $56,490 |
See Logging Equipment Operator pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $31,820 | $15.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $34,510 | $16.59 |
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 45-4022. 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 logging equipment operator make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $49,350 a year, or $23.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $60,580 a year. The top 25% earn $57,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,450 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $48,180 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 60 logging equipment operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.