Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Hourly Pay

Median hourly wage: $28.78

Hourly Wage Percentiles

PercentileHourly Wage
10th$20.28
25th$23.40
Median$28.78
75th$37.10
90th$48.60

Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make an hour?

The median hourly wage is $28.78; the mean hourly wage is $31.87.

What is the entry-level hourly pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $20.28 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.

What is the top hourly pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?

Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $48.60 per hour.