Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators · Illinois

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Illinois

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Illinois earn a median annual wage of $97,740 —63.3% above the national median of $59,850. That ranks IL #2 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$97,740
Median hourly
$46.99
Entry level (P10)
$49,770
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$123,330
90th percentile
Employment
12,290
2.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+63.3%
U.S. $59,850

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$49,770
$69,230
$97,740
$109,320
$49,770$97,740$123,330
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $97,740.

Employment is only 0.66× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.

Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Illinois is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Hawaii$115,860$55.702,3801.23
2Illinois$97,740$46.9912,2900.66
3New Jersey$89,660$43.115,9800.45
4California$87,160$41.9036,0200.64
5Washington$81,700$39.2810,2900.94
6New York$80,980$38.9414,4900.49
7Indiana$79,580$38.2611,5201.17
8Minnesota$79,130$38.048,5900.95
9Connecticut$78,750$37.862,8600.55
10Alaska$77,810$37.413,0503.05

Related occupations in Illinois

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois is $97,740, or $46.99 per hour. That is 63.3% above the national median of $59,850.

What is the entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Illinois?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $49,770 per year ($23.93/hour). The 25th percentile is $69,230.

How many people work as operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois?

About 12,290 people work in this occupation in Illinois, or 2.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Illinois a good state for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?

Illinois ranks #2 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.66x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.

Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?

Hawaii has the highest median wage at $115,860 per year, followed by Illinois ($97,740) and New Jersey ($89,660).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes