Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Cedar Rapids, IA make a median of $60,870 a year, or about $29.27 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.96), which stretches that salary to about $68,424 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $956/month, or 23.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $61K get you in Cedar Rapids?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Cedar Rapids, IA
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K.Top earners bring in $85K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $105K | +80% | 1,740 |
| Illinois | $97K | +65% | 11,690 |
| California | $89K | +52% | 36,040 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +43% | 6,450 |
| New York | $80K | +37% | 14,700 |
| Washington | $79K | +35% | 9,070 |
| Minnesota | $79K | +34% | 8,290 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +31% | 2,810 |
| Rhode Island | $76K | +30% | 850 |
| Alaska | $75K | +28% | 3,170 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +24% | 10,360 |
| Nevada | $73K | +24% | 5,760 |
| Wisconsin | $73K | +24% | 8,320 |
| Indiana | $72K | +23% | 11,230 |
| District of Columbia | $69K | +18% | 560 |
Track operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Cedar Rapids numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median is $60,870 a year - that works out to about $29.27 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,940, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $84,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Cedar Rapids?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,992/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $956/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary go in Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids has a Regional Price Parity of 88.96 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary is worth about $68,424 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.