Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators out-earn Construction Laborers by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators land at $59,850 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: operating engineers and other construction equipment operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators is Hawaii ($115,860); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators earn more nationally. The median is $59,850 for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 3.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators at $115,860/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators earn $115,860 vs. $77,110 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.