Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Alaska make a median of $77,810 a year, or about $37.41 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $74,595 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,643/month, about 30.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Alaska?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, local pay runs about 30% higher than the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by metro in Alaska
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College | $82K | +6% | 430 |
| Anchorage | $77K | -2% | 980 |
Compare to other states
Track operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operating engineers and other construction equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 31.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operating engineers and other construction equipment operators typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,743/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is operating engineers and other construction equipment operator a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 30% above the national median — $78K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
Alaska pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +30%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Alaska?
The median is $77,810 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,390, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $103,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,261/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 31.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary is worth about $74,595 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.