Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Virginia
In Virginia, the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $27.48 an hour ($57,160 a year). About 12,100 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($59,850). Virginia ranks 36th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $19.65 | $40,870 |
| 25% of workers | $23.10 | $48,040 |
| Half of workers (median) | $27.48 | $57,160 |
| 75% of workers | $30.45 | $63,330 |
| 90% of workers | $37.62 | $78,250 |
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $59,790 | 310 |
| Richmond | $55,280 | 2,220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $52,060 | 2,150 |
| Winchester | $50,790 | 260 |
| Lynchburg | $50,100 | 230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $50,030 | 0 |
| Harrisonburg | $49,670 | 260 |
| Roanoke | $49,010 | 480 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $48,750 | 160 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Virginia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $43,560 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $63,950 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,060 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $59,480 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $66,600 |
| Millwrights | $51,430 |
| Electricians | $62,900 |
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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.