Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in North Carolina
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Carolina was $49,310 -17.6% vs national
North Carolina vs United States
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $49,310 | $59,850 |
| Median hourly | $23.71 | $28.78 |
| Employment | 16,580 | 478,090 |
| Location quotient | 1.09 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (North Carolina) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
What this means
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $39,050, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $64,450 — a 1.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $23.71 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $49,317 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $49,310.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in North Carolina?
The median annual wage in North Carolina is $49,310 ($23.71 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
The North Carolina median of $49,310 is 17.6% lower than the U.S. median of $59,850.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in North Carolina?
Approximately 16,580 are employed in North Carolina, per BLS OES.