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Construction & Trades

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Pennsylvania

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania make a median of $58,580 a year, or about $28.16 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$59K
Median annual
$28.16/hr
Hourly rate
$45K
Entry level (10th %)
$95K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $59K get you in Pennsylvania?

Take-home$3,943/mo
2BR rent (est.)-$1,379/mo
Rent burden35% (above 30%)
COL-adjusted salary$58,580/yr
After rent$2,564/mo
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About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

U.S. employed: 20,680
Category: Construction & Trades
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania

Bar chart showing Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary percentiles in Pennsylvania: 10th percentile $44,930, 25th percentile $48,110, median $58,580, 75th percentile $70,790, 90th percentile $94,850. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$45K25th$48KMedian$59K75th$71K90th$95K
Bar chart showing Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary percentiles in Pennsylvania: 10th percentile $44,930, 25th percentile $48,110, median $58,580, 75th percentile $70,790, 90th percentile $94,850. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $95K or more - a $50K spread from bottom to top.

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
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 Pennsylvania numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Pennsylvania?

The median is $58,580 a year - that works out to about $28.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,930, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $94,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $59K enough to live in Pennsylvania?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,943/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,379/month (median of metro areas), which eats 35% 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 Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania 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 $58,580 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.

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