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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$50,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#43 of 51
55,540 employed here

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

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in Texas earn a median salary of $50,460 per year, or about $24.26 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $38,900 while the top 10% make $70,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,120 and $59,990 a year.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,900$18.70
25th percentile (early career)$46,120$22.17
50th percentile (median)$50,460$24.26
75th percentile (experienced)$59,990$28.84
90th percentile (top earners)$70,010$33.66

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 43rd 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($50,460) 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 Texas?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Texas is $50,460 per year, or about $24.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,900 at the entry level to $70,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 16% less than the national median of $59,850. Texas ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,460 a year. About 55,540 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.