Iowa Median
$60,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#30 of 51
5,530 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Iowa?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Iowa take home a median of $60,330 annually — roughly $29.00 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $59,850.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $46,690 while the top 10% make $87,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,610 and $72,660 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,690 | $22.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $53,610 | $25.77 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,330 | $29.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $72,660 | $34.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,460 | $42.05 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 30th 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 $60,530South 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 $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($60,330) 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 Iowa?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Iowa is $60,330 per year, or about $29.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,690 at the entry level to $87,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 1% more than the national median of $59,850. Iowa ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,330 a year. About 5,530 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.