How much does a operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make?
The median operating engineer and other construction equipment operator in the United States earns $59,850 per year, about $28.78 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2073.
Operating engineer and other construction equipment operator salary range
Pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,190 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $101,090. The average (mean) wage of $66,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,190 | $20.28 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,680 | $23.40 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,850 | $28.78 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $77,170 | $37.10 | |
| 90th percentile | $101,090 | $48.60 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (SOC 47-2073), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Operating engineer and other construction equipment operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn the most in Hawaii at $115,860 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $44,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Massachusetts | $76,820 | 9,680 |
| Wisconsin | $75,280 | 8,140 |
| District of Columbia | $74,610 | 620 |
| Oregon | $73,430 | 5,630 |
| Nevada | $71,410 | 5,410 |
| Ohio | $64,940 | 16,920 |
| Rhode Island | $63,610 | 970 |
| Wyoming | $62,960 | 3,800 |
| Michigan | $62,690 | 9,500 |
| Colorado | $62,620 | 11,700 |
| New Hampshire | $62,200 | 1,330 |
| North Dakota | $62,150 | 4,890 |
| Idaho | $61,680 | 4,270 |
| Montana | $61,580 | 3,750 |
| Maryland | $61,410 | 6,610 |
| Utah | $60,740 | 7,880 |
| Arizona | $60,620 | 13,200 |
| Missouri | $60,540 | 10,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,530 | 22,120 |
| Iowa | $60,330 | 5,530 |
| South Dakota | $59,500 | 2,050 |
| Vermont | $58,870 | 1,280 |
| Nebraska | $58,360 | 3,180 |
| Delaware | $58,020 | 1,230 |
| Kentucky | $57,780 | 7,050 |
| Virginia | $57,160 | 12,100 |
| Maine | $56,140 | 2,210 |
| New Mexico | $52,000 | 5,520 |
| Tennessee | $52,000 | 10,660 |
| Louisiana | $51,700 | 7,860 |
| Kansas | $51,620 | 7,070 |
| West Virginia | $51,300 | 7,830 |
| Texas | $50,460 | 55,540 |
| Florida | $49,400 | 27,510 |
| North Carolina | $49,310 | 16,580 |
| South Carolina | $48,940 | 8,160 |
| Oklahoma | $47,970 | 7,050 |
| Georgia | $47,880 | 15,700 |
| Alabama | $47,520 | 9,640 |
| Mississippi | $47,410 | 4,170 |
| Arkansas | $44,520 | 5,800 |
State median wages for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (SOC 47-2073), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
The BLS projects employment of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 489,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 511,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 39,200 openings a year for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator
The typical entry-level education for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $115,860) and the lowest (Arkansas, $44,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 478,090 people work as operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the United States. At $59,850 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Operating engineer and other construction equipment operator salary FAQ
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator is $28.78. The middle half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn between $23.40 and $37.10 per hour.
What is the highest operating engineer and other construction equipment operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than $101,090 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make a year?
The median annual salary for an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator is $59,850. The average (mean) wage of $66,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator a well paid job?
At $59,850 a year, an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 478,090 people work as operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the United States.
Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at $115,860 a year. Illinois ($97,740) and New Jersey ($89,660) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator a good career?
Employment of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is projected to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 39,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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