Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 47-2073As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the United States is $59,850 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 478,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,190 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $48,680 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $59,850 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $77,170 | Experienced |
| 90th | $101,090 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 | $102,020 | 2,000 |
| Illinois | $97,740 | $90,500 | 12,000 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 | $93,270 | 6,000 |
| California | $87,160 | $94,000 | 36,000 |
| Washington | $81,700 | $88,290 | 10,000 |
| New York | $80,980 | $90,690 | 14,000 |
| Indiana | $79,580 | $75,300 | 12,000 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 | $79,070 | 9,000 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 | $83,380 | 3,000 |
| Alaska | $77,810 | $82,680 | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $76,820 | $84,730 | 10,000 |
| Wisconsin | $75,280 | $77,770 | 8,000 |
| District of Columbia | $74,610 | $76,470 | 620 |
| Oregon | $73,430 | $79,270 | 6,000 |
| Nevada | $71,410 | $76,050 | 5,000 |
| Ohio | $64,940 | $71,830 | 17,000 |
| Rhode Island | $63,610 | $72,470 | 970 |
| Wyoming | $62,960 | $67,010 | 4,000 |
| Michigan | $62,690 | $66,920 | 10,000 |
| Colorado | $62,620 | $64,550 | 12,000 |
| New Hampshire | $62,200 | $67,270 | 1,000 |
| North Dakota | $62,150 | $68,640 | 5,000 |
| Idaho | $61,680 | $63,920 | 4,000 |
| Montana | $61,580 | $63,350 | 4,000 |
| Maryland | $61,410 | $61,650 | 7,000 |
| Utah | $60,740 | $60,840 | 8,000 |
| Arizona | $60,620 | $61,520 | 13,000 |
| Missouri | $60,540 | $67,960 | 10,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,530 | $65,920 | 22,000 |
| Iowa | $60,330 | $63,770 | 6,000 |
| South Dakota | $59,500 | $59,330 | 2,000 |
| Vermont | $58,870 | $60,310 | 1,000 |
| Nebraska | $58,360 | $58,240 | 3,000 |
| Delaware | $58,020 | $60,690 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $57,780 | $59,320 | 7,000 |
| Virginia | $57,160 | $58,400 | 12,000 |
| Maine | $56,140 | $58,230 | 2,000 |
| New Mexico | $52,000 | $54,810 | 6,000 |
| Tennessee | $52,000 | $55,050 | 11,000 |
| Louisiana | $51,700 | $55,380 | 8,000 |
| Kansas | $51,620 | $57,540 | 7,000 |
| West Virginia | $51,300 | $54,480 | 8,000 |
| Texas | $50,460 | $53,740 | 56,000 |
| Florida | $49,400 | $52,590 | 28,000 |
| North Carolina | $49,310 | $52,310 | 17,000 |
| South Carolina | $48,940 | $51,640 | 8,000 |
| Oklahoma | $47,970 | $50,110 | 7,000 |
| Georgia | $47,880 | $49,660 | 16,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $47,650 | $53,470 | 120 |
| Alabama | $47,520 | $50,680 | 10,000 |
| Mississippi | $47,410 | $50,010 | 4,000 |
| Arkansas | $44,520 | $45,890 | 6,000 |
| Guam | $39,170 | $42,890 | 650 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,810 | $32,380 | 2,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the US?
The US national median wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $59,850 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the US?
Pay ranges from $42,190 at the 10th percentile to $101,090 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?
The highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators include Hawaii ($115,860), Illinois ($97,740), New Jersey ($89,660). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Hawaii ($115,860) pays roughly 289% more than Puerto Rico ($29,810). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02