Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL make a median of $59,080 a year, or about $28.41 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $187K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 114.16), so that salary is closer to $51,752 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,436/month — about 59.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $187K or more - a $147K 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
The median is $59,080 a year - that works out to about $28.41 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,010, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $187,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,126/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,436/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 59% 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach?
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach has a Regional Price Parity of 114.16 (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 $51,752 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.