Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI make a median of $77,510 a year, or about $37.26 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.94), that's roughly $79,957 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,338/month, or 26.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Milwaukee-Waukesha?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $97K or more - a $40K 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
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median is $77,510 a year - that works out to about $37.26 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,960, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $97,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Milwaukee-Waukesha?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,988/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,338/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 26.8% 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha?
Milwaukee-Waukesha has a Regional Price Parity of 96.94 (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 $79,957 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.