Alabama Median
$47,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#49 of 51
9,640 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Alabama?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Alabama take home a median of $47,520 annually — roughly $22.85 an hour — which runs 21% below the national median of $59,850.
Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $36,230 while the top 10% make $67,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,780 and $57,540 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Alabama
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,230 | $17.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,780 | $19.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,540 | $27.66 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,690 | $32.54 |
|
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Alabama
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($47,520) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Alabama?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Alabama is $47,520 per year, or about $22.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,230 at the entry level to $67,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 21% less than the national median of $59,850. Alabama ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,520 a year. About 9,640 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.