SOC 53-3099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other — South Carolina
South Carolina · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other in South Carolina is $27,840 per year, substantially below the national median of $37,180 — a gap of 25.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other in South Carolina is $27,840 per year, substantially below the national median of $37,180 — a gap of 25.1%. Half of workers earn between $23,170 and $48,240. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,280 and the ninetieth at $57,780.
The area has 450 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. South Carolina ranks number 48th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Hilton Head Island records the highest median at $34,230. Of the 713 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 699th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,280 | −40.1% |
| 25th | $23,170 | −37.7% |
| Median (50th) | $27,840 | −25.1% |
| 75th | $48,240 | +29.7% |
| 90th | $57,780 | +55.4% |
| Mean | $34,020 | −8.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Island | $34,230 | 40 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $29,590 | 60 | |
| 3 | Greenville | $25,770 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $27,840 goes as far as $29,712 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,712US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,840 a year, 25.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,280 to $57,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 450 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 48th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Hilton Head Island, at $34,230.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other in South Carolina?
The median annual wage is $27,840, or $13.38 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,180, so pay in South Carolina is 25.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Carolina earns more than $57,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,280 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Hilton Head Island, at $34,230 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 450 jobs in this occupation in South Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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