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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$81,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+37% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#5 of 51
10,290 employed here

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

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in Washington earn a median salary of $81,700 per year, or about $39.28 per hour. That is 37% above the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $57,200 while the top 10% make $125,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,390 and $114,640 a year.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$57,200$27.50
25th percentile (early career)$64,390$30.96
50th percentile (median)$81,700$39.28
75th percentile (experienced)$114,640$55.12
90th percentile (top earners)$125,490$60.33

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 5th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($81,700) 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 Washington?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Washington is $81,700 per year, or about $39.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $57,200 at the entry level to $125,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 37% more than the national median of $59,850. Washington ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,700 a year. About 10,290 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.