West Virginia Median
$51,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#42 of 51
7,830 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in West Virginia?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $51,300 per year, or about $24.66 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $36,500 while the top 10% make $76,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,630 and $61,690 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,630 | $20.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,300 | $24.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,690 | $29.66 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,970 | $37.00 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 42nd 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 $51,620Texas $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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($51,300) 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 West Virginia?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in West Virginia is $51,300 per year, or about $24.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,500 at the entry level to $76,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 14% less than the national median of $59,850. West Virginia ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,300 a year. About 7,830 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.