Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary Trend (2011–2024)

Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Median Salary in 2024
$58,710
41.4% since 2011

Median Salary Over Time

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Median Annual Salary
$40K$45K$50K$55K$60K20112013201520172019202120232024$42K$59K

Employment Over Time

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Total Employment
322K362K402K442K483K20112013201520172019202120232024335K469K

Key Insights

📈Salaries grew 41.4% since 2011 ($41,510$58,710)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $58,710
🦠COVID impact: Salary remained relatively stable (+1.6%) through the 2020 pandemic year.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -4%

Year-by-Year Salary Data

YearMedian SalaryYoY Change
2024$58,710+4.5%
2023$56,160+9.2%
2022$51,430+6.3%
2021$48,360-2.8%
2020$49,770+1.6%
2019$48,980+2.4%
2018$47,810+1.6%
2017$47,040+2.5%
2016$45,890+2.9%
2015$44,600+2.5%
2014$43,510+2.3%
2013$42,540+1.6%
2012$41,870+0.9%
2011$41,510
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.