Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary by State
Also called: Operating Engineers
The national median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $59,850 a year. By state, it ranges from $44,520 in Arkansas to $115,860 in Hawaii.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $42,190
- 25th percentile
- $48,680
- Median
- $59,850
- 75th percentile
- $77,170
- Top 10%
- $101,090
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 478,090 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $115,860 | +94% | $62,390 | $129,590 | 2,380 |
| 2 | Illinois | $97,740 | +63% | $49,770 | $123,330 | 12,290 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $89,660 | +50% | $50,760 | $133,330 | 5,980 |
| 4 | California | $87,160 | +46% | $52,760 | $132,210 | 36,020 |
| 5 | Washington | $81,700 | +37% | $57,200 | $125,490 | 10,290 |
| 6 | New York | $80,980 | +35% | $50,190 | $144,920 | 14,490 |
| 7 | Indiana | $79,580 | +33% | $47,630 | $98,850 | 11,520 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $79,130 | +32% | $55,960 | $101,930 | 8,590 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $78,750 | +32% | $60,000 | $106,920 | 2,860 |
| 10 | Alaska | $77,810 | +30% | $62,390 | $103,900 | 3,050 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $76,820 | +28% | $52,630 | $125,400 | 9,680 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $75,280 | +26% | $51,370 | $100,140 | 8,140 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $74,610 | +25% | $50,540 | $98,270 | 620 |
| 14 | Oregon | $73,430 | +23% | $53,410 | $117,310 | 5,630 |
| 15 | Nevada | $71,410 | +19% | $51,050 | $111,210 | 5,410 |
| 16 | Ohio | $64,940 | +9% | $46,850 | $98,100 | 16,920 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $63,610 | +6% | $52,460 | $98,870 | 970 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $62,960 | +5% | $48,370 | $85,630 | 3,800 |
| 19 | Michigan | $62,690 | +5% | $46,370 | $90,580 | 9,500 |
| 20 | Colorado | $62,620 | +5% | $49,480 | $78,870 | 11,700 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $62,200 | +4% | $49,770 | $87,730 | 1,330 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $62,150 | +4% | $49,840 | $100,570 | 4,890 |
| 23 | Idaho | $61,680 | +3% | $47,230 | $79,650 | 4,270 |
| 24 | Montana | $61,580 | +3% | $48,130 | $79,880 | 3,750 |
| 25 | Maryland | $61,410 | +3% | $46,760 | $78,870 | 6,610 |
| 26 | Utah | $60,740 | +1% | $47,420 | $75,880 | 7,880 |
| 27 | Arizona | $60,620 | +1% | $47,680 | $79,460 | 13,200 |
| 28 | Missouri | $60,540 | +1% | $43,290 | $94,130 | 10,470 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $60,530 | +1% | $46,780 | $94,930 | 22,120 |
| 30 | Iowa | $60,330 | +1% | $46,690 | $87,460 | 5,530 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $59,500 | −1% | $47,260 | $75,880 | 2,050 |
| 32 | Vermont | $58,870 | −2% | $50,270 | $73,860 | 1,280 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $58,360 | −2% | $44,620 | $75,700 | 3,180 |
| 34 | Delaware | $58,020 | −3% | $39,090 | $97,520 | 1,230 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $57,780 | −3% | $44,620 | $80,890 | 7,050 |
| 36 | Virginia | $57,160 | −4% | $40,870 | $78,250 | 12,100 |
| 37 | Maine | $56,140 | −6% | $46,200 | $75,390 | 2,210 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $52,000 | −13% | $44,800 | $69,690 | 5,520 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $52,000 | −13% | $41,600 | $75,430 | 10,660 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $51,700 | −14% | $37,440 | $75,180 | 7,860 |
| 41 | Kansas | $51,620 | −14% | $39,520 | $85,420 | 7,070 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $51,300 | −14% | $36,500 | $76,970 | 7,830 |
| 43 | Texas | $50,460 | −16% | $38,900 | $70,010 | 55,540 |
| 44 | Florida | $49,400 | −17% | $38,820 | $64,020 | 27,510 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $49,310 | −18% | $39,050 | $64,450 | 16,580 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $48,940 | −18% | $38,720 | $64,330 | 8,160 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $47,970 | −20% | $37,440 | $64,380 | 7,050 |
| 48 | Georgia | $47,880 | −20% | $37,810 | $62,840 | 15,700 |
| 49 | Alabama | $47,520 | −21% | $36,230 | $67,690 | 9,640 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $47,410 | −21% | $36,180 | $67,030 | 4,170 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $44,520 | −26% | $35,520 | $58,670 | 5,800 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary questions
Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $115,860 a year (+94% vs. the national median of $59,850). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $44,520 a year (−26% vs. national).
Where do most operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 55,540, with a median of $50,460.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.