Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators · Texas

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Texas

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Texas earn a median annual wage of $50,460 —15.7% below the national median of $59,850. That ranks TX #43 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$50,460
Median hourly
$24.26
Entry level (P10)
$38,900
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$70,010
90th percentile
Employment
55,540
3.9 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-15.7%
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
$38,900
$46,120
$50,460
$59,990
$38,900$50,460$70,010
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $50,460.

Employment is 1.28× as concentrated as the national average, making Texas a strong market for this occupation.

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

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Texas 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 Texas

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Texas.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Texas is $50,460, or $24.26 per hour. That is 15.7% below the national median of $59,850.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $38,900 per year ($18.70/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,120.

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

About 55,540 people work in this occupation in Texas, or 3.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Texas ranks #43 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.28x as concentrated as the national average, making Texas a strong market for this occupation.

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