Machinist salary in South Carolina
Machinists in South Carolina earn a median of $57,970 a year ($27.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,650 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $58,750. South Carolina ranks 31st of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 1.6 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,030, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Median | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| 75th percentile | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| Average (mean) | $57,030 | $27.42 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,830.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,415.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,229.62 |
| Weekly | $1,114.81 |
| Hourly | $27.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,140 | 370 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,210 | 2,390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,060 | 420 |
| Columbia, SC | $59,570 | 240 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,280 | 470 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,970 | 1,050 |
| Florence, SC | $56,900 | 160 |
| Sumter, SC | $49,480 | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $46,460 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in South Carolina?
The median salary for machinists in South Carolina is $57,970 a year, or $27.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of machinists in South Carolina earn at least $75,650 a year. The top 25% earn $65,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,270 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $46,970 or less.
How many machinists work in South Carolina?
About 3,790 machinists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.