Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Washington make a median of $81,700 a year, or about $39.28 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $80,090 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 33.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Washington?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, local pay runs about 37% higher than the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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, Washington
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $125K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $103K | +26% | 260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $96K | +17% | 4,860 |
| Bellingham | $92K | +12% | 400 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $89K | +9% | 240 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $85K | +5% | 180 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $80K | -2% | 460 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $78K | -5% | 180 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $74K | -9% | 700 |
| Yakima | $72K | -12% | 190 |
| Walla Walla | $68K | -17% | 50 |
| Longview-Kelso | $64K | -21% | 190 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operating engineers and other construction equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 33.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operating engineers and other construction equipment operators typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,432/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $82K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
Washington pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $80K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Washington?
The median is $81,700 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,200, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $125,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,489/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 33.3% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $80,090 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.