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Best States for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: Highest-paid Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators by State

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Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators play a vital role in operating and maintaining heavy machinery to ensure the successful completion of construction projects.

This article will explore the best states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are in New Jersey, where they earn an average of $84,860 per year.
  • The lowest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $25,000 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $58,026 per year.

1. New Jersey ($84,860)

New Jersey Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Jersey earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New Jersey is $84,860, which is +46% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$84,860
10th Percentile$50,370
25th Percentile$61,600
75th Percentile$108,010
90th Percentile$124,920

2. Hawaii ($83,850)

Hawaii Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Hawaii earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Hawaii is $83,850, which is +45% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$83,850
10th Percentile$50,760
25th Percentile$62,300
75th Percentile$105,340
90th Percentile$107,410

3. California ($83,600)

California Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California is $83,600, which is +44% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$83,600
10th Percentile$49,830
25th Percentile$61,300
75th Percentile$106,040
90th Percentile$116,540

4. New York ($82,360)

New York Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New York earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New York is $82,360, which is +42% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$82,360
10th Percentile$45,700
25th Percentile$51,960
75th Percentile$99,420
90th Percentile$148,530

5. Illinois ($82,280)

Illinois Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Illinois earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois is $82,280, which is +42% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$82,280
10th Percentile$44,860
25th Percentile$58,220
75th Percentile$102,920
90th Percentile$112,220

6. Washington ($79,420)

Washington Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Washington earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Washington is $79,420, which is +37% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$79,420
10th Percentile$49,840
25th Percentile$60,610
75th Percentile$102,010
90th Percentile$108,250

7. Massachusetts ($78,110)

Massachusetts Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Massachusetts earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Massachusetts is $78,110, which is +35% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$78,110
10th Percentile$50,170
25th Percentile$58,480
75th Percentile$100,910
90th Percentile$108,430

8. Connecticut ($76,880)

Connecticut Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Connecticut earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Connecticut is $76,880, which is +32% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$76,880
10th Percentile$51,470
25th Percentile$61,250
75th Percentile$90,330
90th Percentile$96,390

9. Minnesota ($72,070)

Minnesota Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Minnesota earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Minnesota is $72,070, which is +24% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$72,070
10th Percentile$50,030
25th Percentile$58,260
75th Percentile$86,510
90th Percentile$92,260

10. Nevada ($69,710)

Nevada Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Nevada earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Nevada is $69,710, which is +20% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$69,710
10th Percentile$45,490
25th Percentile$50,530
75th Percentile$80,750
90th Percentile$111,240

Conclusion

The highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are in New Jersey, where they earn an average of $84,860 per year. The lowest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $25,000 per year. The U.S. average salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $58,026 per year and there are 425,600 jobs in the field.