What Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators this way: "Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Learn and follow safety regulations"; "Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects"; "Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms"; "Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes"; "Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 489,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 511,800 in 2035, an increase of 22,300 jobs (+4.6%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 39,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,850, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators earn the most
Across the 7 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $47,797 in Georgia to $91,495 in Illinois, a gap of $43,698 (1.91 times). 5 of those 7 states average above the BLS national median of $59,850 and 2 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 54,320, which is 31.4% of the 172,940 counted across them. California follows with 35,460.
Highest-paying states
Illinois ($91,495), California ($91,285) and New York ($84,763) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($47,797) and Texas ($50,292) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: pay against the cost of living
We compare 8 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Cook County, IL (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $47,743. The smallest margin is $13,466 in Fulton County, GA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 8 of the 8 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 28.1% and 48.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (47-2000) include Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Electricians, Carpenters and Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers.
Frequently asked questions about Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
What is the national median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,850. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $47,797 to $91,495.
Which state pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators the most?
Illinois, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $91,495. California is next at $91,285.
What is the job outlook for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 39,200 openings a year.
What education do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Cook County, IL leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $47,743 on a median wage of $103,100.