Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX make a median of $50,510 a year, or about $24.28 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $70K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.63), that's roughly $51,212 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,573/month — about 44.8% 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $70K or more - a $31K 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median is $50,510 a year - that works out to about $24.28 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,500, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $70,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,552/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.3% 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has a Regional Price Parity of 98.63 (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 $51,212 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.