Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in North Carolina
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in North Carolina make a median of $48,910 a year, or about $23.51 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in North Carolina?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $62K or more - a $24K 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 North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in North Carolina?
The median is $48,910 a year - that works out to about $23.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,360, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $62,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,261/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,348/month (median of metro areas), which eats 41.3% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina 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 $48,910 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.