North Carolina Median
$49,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#45 of 51
16,580 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in North Carolina?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $49,310 per year, or about $23.71 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,050 while the top 10% make $64,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,700 and $57,870 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,050 | $18.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,700 | $21.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,310 | $23.71 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,870 | $27.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,450 | $30.99 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 45th 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 $49,400South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($49,310) 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 North Carolina?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in North Carolina is $49,310 per year, or about $23.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,050 at the entry level to $64,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 18% less than the national median of $59,850. North Carolina ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,310 a year. About 16,580 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.