Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Oregon make a median of $73,430 a year, or about $35.3 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $71,681 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,555/month, about 32.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Oregon?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
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What this looks like in Oregon
Oregon sits well above the national pay line for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,555/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oregon
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $117K or more, a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by metro in Oregon
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $79K | +8% | 3,040 |
| Salem | $74K | +1% | 750 |
| Albany | $68K | -7% | 150 |
| Bend | $68K | -8% | 580 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $65K | -11% | 330 |
| Grants Pass | $64K | -13% | 90 |
| Medford | $62K | -15% | 270 |
| Corvallis | $62K | -16% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Oregon numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operating engineers and other construction equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oregon?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 34.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operating engineers and other construction equipment operators typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,205/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is operating engineers and other construction equipment operator a high-paying job in Oregon?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $73K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
Oregon pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Oregon?
The median is $73,430 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,410, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $117,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,512/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 34.5% 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 Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (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 $71,681 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.