Average Salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
SOC 47-2073 · Construction and Extraction Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States is $58,710 ($28.23/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $40,080 at the 10th percentile to $100,690 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 469,270 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 34.9% since 2014.
Median Annual
$58,710
Mean Annual
$65,180
10th Pct
$40,080
75th Pct
$75,750
Employment
469,270
Salary Distribution
$40k
10th
$48k
25th
$59k
Median
$76k
75th
$101k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $117,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $115,500 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $109,740 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,200 |
| Springfield, IL | $99,950 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $98,830 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $98,610 |
| Rockford, IL | $96,740 |
| Decatur, IL | $96,700 |
| Bloomington, IL | $93,510 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $93,220 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $92,410 |
| Vallejo, CA | $91,590 |
| Kankakee, IL | $90,590 |
| Modesto, CA | $87,030 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $105,440 |
| Illinois | $96,980 |
| California | $89,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,170 |
| New York | $80,260 |
| Washington | $79,190 |
| Minnesota | $78,580 |
| Connecticut | $76,690 |
| Rhode Island | $76,030 |
| Alaska | $75,000 |
| Massachusetts | $72,800 |
| Nevada | $72,780 |
| Wisconsin | $72,650 |
| Indiana | $72,370 |
| District of Columbia | $69,050 |
| Oregon | $68,210 |
| Wyoming | $63,560 |
| New Hampshire | $62,770 |
| North Dakota | $62,760 |
| Michigan | $62,550 |
| Ohio | $62,410 |
| Colorado | $61,570 |
| Iowa | $61,210 |
| Maryland | $60,620 |
| Montana | $60,130 |
| Missouri | $60,050 |
| Arizona | $59,900 |
| Utah | $59,760 |
| Idaho | $59,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,580 |
| Nebraska | $57,240 |
| Kentucky | $57,060 |
| South Dakota | $56,720 |
| Delaware | $56,630 |
| Vermont | $56,260 |
| Maine | $55,170 |
| Virginia | $52,240 |
| Kansas | $50,600 |
| West Virginia | $50,010 |
| Louisiana | $49,650 |
| Texas | $49,650 |
| New Mexico | $49,130 |
| Tennessee | $49,070 |
| North Carolina | $48,910 |
| Florida | $48,780 |
| South Carolina | $47,480 |
| Oklahoma | $47,190 |
| Virgin Islands | $47,020 |
| Alabama | $46,870 |
| Georgia | $46,380 |
| Mississippi | $46,020 |
| Arkansas | $45,170 |
| Guam | $39,260 |
| Puerto Rico | $26,200 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Hydroelectric Power Generation | $119,160 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors | $100,360 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | $95,570 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $91,540 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $91,540 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $90,110 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $86,500 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $81,850 |
| Utilities | $81,040 |
| Utilities | $81,040 |
| Real Estate | $79,910 |
| Pipeline Transportation | $79,800 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | $78,680 |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $76,180 |
| Roofing Contractors | $72,100 |
| Coal Mining | $71,890 |
| Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | $71,520 |
| Rail Transportation | $70,640 |
| Rail Transportation | $70,640 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $70,140 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $70,140 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $68,710 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $68,240 |
| Engineering Services | $67,380 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $66,790 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $65,890 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $65,880 |
| Educational Services | $65,880 |
| Facilities Support Services | $65,810 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $65,610 |
| Other Building Equipment Contractors | $64,220 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $64,210 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $64,210 |
| Construction of Buildings | $64,110 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $64,110 |
| Residential Building Construction | $63,840 |
| Hospitals | $63,010 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $63,010 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $62,370 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $62,040 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $62,040 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $61,710 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $61,710 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $61,550 |
| Utility System Construction | $61,110 |
| Construction | $60,950 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $60,110 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $60,110 |
| Masonry Contractors | $59,900 |
| Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | $59,840 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $59,550 |
| Metal Ore Mining | $59,480 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $59,300 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $59,120 |
| Solar Electric Power Generation | $58,940 |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) | $58,740 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | $58,680 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $58,530 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $57,940 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $57,940 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $57,840 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $56,460 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors | $55,840 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | $55,570 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | $54,830 |
| Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | $54,320 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $54,080 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $53,940 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $53,930 |
| Information | $53,550 |
| Telecommunications | $53,550 |
| Other Support Services | $53,230 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $53,000 |
| Casino Hotels | $52,950 |
| Landscaping Services | $52,650 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $52,650 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $52,640 |
| Food Manufacturing | $52,620 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $52,570 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $52,570 |
| Biomass Electric Power Generation | $52,070 |
| Forestry and Logging | $52,000 |
| Logging | $52,000 |
| Manufacturing | $51,950 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | $51,650 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $51,450 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $51,430 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | $51,430 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $51,410 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $51,410 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $51,340 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $51,210 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $51,170 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $51,160 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $51,080 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $50,900 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $50,900 |
| Retail Trade | $50,730 |
| Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers | $50,720 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $50,630 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $50,630 |
| Truck Transportation | $50,530 |
| Waste Collection | $50,470 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $50,240 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $50,240 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $50,240 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $50,150 |
| Spectator Sports | $50,150 |
| Educational Services | $50,090 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $49,920 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $49,880 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $49,800 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $49,800 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $49,690 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $49,510 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $49,510 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | $49,500 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $49,500 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $49,500 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $49,300 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | $49,300 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $49,300 |
| Death Care Services | $49,220 |
| Personal and Laundry Services | $49,220 |
| Support Activities for Road Transportation | $49,200 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | $49,100 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $48,980 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $48,980 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $48,570 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $48,450 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $48,320 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $48,320 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $48,320 |
| Land Subdivision | $48,290 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $47,610 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $47,610 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $47,590 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $47,410 |
| Wholesale Trade | $47,260 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $47,240 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $47,190 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $47,070 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $47,050 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $46,780 |
| Traveler Accommodation | $46,300 |
| Accommodation | $46,300 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $46,110 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $45,530 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $45,510 |
| Employment Services | $45,170 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $45,150 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $45,150 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $45,080 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $44,970 |
| Temporary Help Services | $44,630 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $44,450 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $44,050 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $43,480 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $41,460 |
| Support Activities for Crop Production | $39,880 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry | $39,880 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $38,090 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | $35,050 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $58,710 |
| 2023 | $56,160 |
| 2022 | $51,430 |
| 2021 | $48,360 |
| 2020 | $49,770 |
| 2019 | $48,980 |
| 2018 | $47,810 |
| 2017 | $47,040 |
| 2016 | $45,890 |
| 2015 | $44,600 |
| 2014 | $43,510 |