Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss out-earn Construction Laborerss by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss land at $59,850 and Construction Laborerss 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 Operatorss is Hawaii ($115,860); for Construction Laborerss 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 Operatorss or Construction Laborerss?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss earn more nationally. The median is $59,850 for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss versus $47,120 for Construction Laborerss, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators or Construction Laborers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Operatorss get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss 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 Operatorss earn $115,860 vs. $77,110 for Construction Laborerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.