Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $59,850 · Median hourly: $28.78 · Employment: 478,090
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,190 | $20.28 |
| 25th | $48,680 | $23.40 |
| Median | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| 75th | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| 90th | $101,090 | $48.60 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 47-2073
- Total U.S. employment: 478,090
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $42,190, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $101,090 — a 2.4x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $28.78 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $59,862 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $59,850.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,520 | $22.84 | -20.6% | 9,640 |
| Alaska | $77,810 | $37.41 | +30.0% | 3,050 |
| Arizona | $60,620 | $29.14 | +1.3% | 13,200 |
| Arkansas | $44,520 | $21.41 | -25.6% | 5,800 |
| California | $87,160 | $41.90 | +45.6% | 36,020 |
| Colorado | $62,620 | $30.11 | +4.6% | 11,700 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 | $37.86 | +31.6% | 2,860 |
| Delaware | $58,020 | $27.89 | -3.1% | 1,230 |
| District of Columbia | $74,610 | $35.87 | +24.7% | 620 |
| Florida | $49,400 | $23.75 | -17.5% | 27,510 |
| Georgia | $47,880 | $23.02 | -20.0% | 15,700 |
| Hawaii | $115,860 | $55.70 | +93.6% | 2,380 |
| Idaho | $61,680 | $29.66 | +3.1% | 4,270 |
| Illinois | $97,740 | $46.99 | +63.3% | 12,290 |
| Indiana | $79,580 | $38.26 | +33.0% | 11,520 |
| Iowa | $60,330 | $29.01 | +0.8% | 5,530 |
| Kansas | $51,620 | $24.82 | -13.8% | 7,070 |
| Kentucky | $57,780 | $27.78 | -3.5% | 7,050 |
| Louisiana | $51,700 | $24.86 | -13.6% | 7,860 |
| Maine | $56,140 | $26.99 | -6.2% | 2,210 |
| Maryland | $61,410 | $29.53 | +2.6% | 6,610 |
| Massachusetts | $76,820 | $36.93 | +28.4% | 9,680 |
| Michigan | $62,690 | $30.14 | +4.7% | 9,500 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 | $38.04 | +32.2% | 8,590 |
| Mississippi | $47,410 | $22.79 | -20.8% | 4,170 |
| Missouri | $60,540 | $29.10 | +1.2% | 10,470 |
| Montana | $61,580 | $29.61 | +2.9% | 3,750 |
| Nebraska | $58,360 | $28.06 | -2.5% | 3,180 |
| Nevada | $71,410 | $34.33 | +19.3% | 5,410 |
| New Hampshire | $62,200 | $29.91 | +3.9% | 1,330 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 | $43.11 | +49.8% | 5,980 |
| New Mexico | $52,000 | $25.00 | -13.1% | 5,520 |
| New York | $80,980 | $38.94 | +35.3% | 14,490 |
| North Carolina | $49,310 | $23.71 | -17.6% | 16,580 |
| North Dakota | $62,150 | $29.88 | +3.8% | 4,890 |
| Ohio | $64,940 | $31.22 | +8.5% | 16,920 |
| Oklahoma | $47,970 | $23.06 | -19.8% | 7,050 |
| Oregon | $73,430 | $35.30 | +22.7% | 5,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,530 | $29.10 | +1.1% | 22,120 |
| Rhode Island | $63,610 | $30.58 | +6.3% | 970 |
| South Carolina | $48,940 | $23.53 | -18.2% | 8,160 |
| South Dakota | $59,500 | $28.61 | -0.6% | 2,050 |
| Tennessee | $52,000 | $25.00 | -13.1% | 10,660 |
| Texas | $50,460 | $24.26 | -15.7% | 55,540 |
| Utah | $60,740 | $29.20 | +1.5% | 7,880 |
| Vermont | $58,870 | $28.30 | -1.6% | 1,280 |
| Virginia | $57,160 | $27.48 | -4.5% | 12,100 |
| Washington | $81,700 | $39.28 | +36.5% | 10,290 |
| West Virginia | $51,300 | $24.66 | -14.3% | 7,830 |
| Wisconsin | $75,280 | $36.19 | +25.8% | 8,140 |
| Wyoming | $62,960 | $30.27 | +5.2% | 3,800 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
The median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $59,850 ($28.78 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 478,090 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.78. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.