Average salary, compensation, and wages for Construction equipment operators in the United States


Earnings for construction equipment operators vary. In 2002, median hourly earnings of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators were $16.94. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.96 and $22.98. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.61, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $28.93. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of operating engineers in 2002 were:


Highway, street, and bridge construction $19.81
Other specialty trade contractors 17.56
Utility system construction 17.48
Other heavy and civil engineering construction 16.89
Local government 14.88



Median hourly earnings of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators were $13.87 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.73 and $19.12. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.07, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.99. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators in 2002 were:
Highway, street, and bridge construction $14.46
Other specialty trade contractors 14.40
Local government 13.07

In 2002, median hourly earnings of piledriver operators were $21.84. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.89 and $29.24. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.73, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.97.
Pay scales generally are higher in large metropolitan areas. Annual earnings of some workers may be lower than hourly rates would indicate because worktime may be limited by bad weather.




More information on Construction equipment operators from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Construction equipment operators occupation
Number of Construction equipment operators in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Construction equipment operators
Working conditions for Construction equipment operators
Significant points for Construction equipment operators
Training requirements for Construction equipment operators




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