How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make?
The median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States is $59,850 per year — about $28.77 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $42,190, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $101,090.
That is $1,540 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range by percentile
Half of all Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators earn between $48,680 and $77,170 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,190 | $20.28 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,680 | $23.40 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,850 | $28.77 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,170 | $37.10 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,090 | $48.60 |
Highest-paying states for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay at $115,860 a year, followed by Illinois ($97,740) and New Jersey ($89,660). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $44,520 — a gap of $71,340 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $115,860 | $55.70 | +94% |
| 2 | Illinois | $97,740 | $46.99 | +63% |
| 3 | New Jersey | $89,660 | $43.11 | +50% |
| 4 | California | $87,160 | $41.90 | +46% |
| 5 | Washington | $81,700 | $39.28 | +37% |
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $66,290 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in the United States?
How does Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators the most?
What education do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators need?
How many Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other construction & trades roles with similar pay.