Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Illinois
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Illinois make a median of $96,980 a year, or about $46.62 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $97K get you in Illinois?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K.Top earners bring in $120K or more - a $69K 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 Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Illinois?
The median is $96,980 a year - that works out to about $46.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,840, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $120,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,984/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 20.1% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary is worth about $96,980 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.