Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $50,870 a year, or about $24.46 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $52,137 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 50.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $63K or more - a $23K 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 Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $50,870 a year - that works out to about $24.46 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,410, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $63,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,385/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 50.5% 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 Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (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 $52,137 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.