Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators · Wisconsin

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Wisconsin

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wisconsin earn a median annual wage of $75,280 —25.8% above the national median of $59,850. That ranks WI #12 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$75,280
Median hourly
$36.19
Entry level (P10)
$51,370
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$100,140
90th percentile
Employment
8,140
2.8 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+25.8%
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
$51,370
$61,520
$75,280
$94,610
$51,370$75,280$100,140
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $75,280.

Employment concentration (0.90×) is close to the national average.

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

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Wisconsin.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wisconsin is $75,280, or $36.19 per hour. That is 25.8% above the national median of $59,850.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $51,370 per year ($24.70/hour). The 25th percentile is $61,520.

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

About 8,140 people work in this occupation in Wisconsin, or 2.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Wisconsin ranks #12 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.90x) is close to the national average.

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