Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Michigan (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Michigan, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$62,690
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#19 of 51
9,500 employed here

How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Michigan?

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in Michigan earn a median salary of $62,690 per year, or about $30.14 per hour. That is 5% above the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $46,370 while the top 10% make $90,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,710 and $78,410 a year.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,370$22.29
25th percentile (early career)$54,710$26.30
50th percentile (median)$62,690$30.14
75th percentile (experienced)$78,410$37.70
90th percentile (top earners)$90,580$43.55

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$115,860
2Illinois$97,740
3New Jersey$89,660
4California$87,160
5Washington$81,700

Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($62,690) 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 Michigan?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Michigan is $62,690 per year, or about $30.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,370 at the entry level to $90,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 5% more than the national median of $59,850. Michigan ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Michigan pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,690 a year. About 9,500 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Michigan. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.