Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary (2025)
Based on 478,090 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $42,190 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $48,680 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $59,850 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $77,170 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $101,090 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$42K
25th
$49K
Median
$60K
75th
$77K
90th
$101K
Highest Paying States for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $102,020 |
| California | $94,000 |
| New Jersey | $93,270 |
| New York | $90,690 |
| Illinois | $90,500 |
| Washington | $88,290 |
| Massachusetts | $84,730 |
| Connecticut | $83,380 |
| Alaska | $82,680 |
| Oregon | $79,270 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Hawaii at an average of $102,020 per year, while Oregon has an average of $79,270 — a difference of $22,750. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 478,090 workers were employed as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Construction and Extraction Occupations. The annual mean wage of $66,290 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 47-2073