Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $28.78 an hour ($59,850 a year). About 478,090 people work in this job there.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.28 | $42,190 |
| 25% of workers | $23.40 | $48,680 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.78 | $59,850 |
| 75% of workers | $37.10 | $77,170 |
| 90% of workers | $48.60 | $101,090 |
Best-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 | 2,380 |
| Illinois | $97,740 | 12,290 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 | 5,980 |
| California | $87,160 | 36,020 |
| Washington | $81,700 | 10,290 |
| New York | $80,980 | 14,490 |
| Indiana | $79,580 | 11,520 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 | 8,590 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 | 2,860 |
| Alaska | $77,810 | 3,050 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $47,520
- Alaska · $77,810
- Arizona · $60,620
- Arkansas · $44,520
- California · $87,160
- Colorado · $62,620
- Connecticut · $78,750
- Delaware · $58,020
- District of Columbia · $74,610
- Florida · $49,400
- Georgia · $47,880
- Hawaii · $115,860
- Idaho · $61,680
- Illinois · $97,740
- Indiana · $79,580
- Iowa · $60,330
- Kansas · $51,620
- Kentucky · $57,780
- Louisiana · $51,700
- Maine · $56,140
- Maryland · $61,410
- Massachusetts · $76,820
- Michigan · $62,690
- Minnesota · $79,130
- Mississippi · $47,410
- Missouri · $60,540
- Montana · $61,580
- Nebraska · $58,360
- Nevada · $71,410
- New Hampshire · $62,200
- New Jersey · $89,660
- New Mexico · $52,000
- New York · $80,980
- North Carolina · $49,310
- North Dakota · $62,150
- Ohio · $64,940
- Oklahoma · $47,970
- Oregon · $73,430
- Pennsylvania · $60,530
- Rhode Island · $63,610
- South Carolina · $48,940
- South Dakota · $59,500
- Tennessee · $52,000
- Texas · $50,460
- Utah · $60,740
- Vermont · $58,870
- Virginia · $57,160
- Washington · $81,700
- West Virginia · $51,300
- Wisconsin · $75,280
- Wyoming · $62,960
Education, experience and outlook for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.6% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 39,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $47,120 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $65,510 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $68,080 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $53,340 |
| Millwrights | $65,700 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operators | $61,810 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.