Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Athens, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Athens-Clarke County, GA

Median annual salary $42,440 -27.7% vs national
Median hourly $20.40
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $55,880
Employed locally 220
National median $58,710

Compare Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary & buying power

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Athens, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $37,880
    50th (median)
    $42,440
    75th
    $48,750
    90th
    $55,880

    Athens economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,897 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 67% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 33% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Urban Honolulu, HI $109,740
    Hawaii $105,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950

    Nearby metros — Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Michigan City-La Porte, IN $79,660
    Sheboygan, WI $65,800
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $65,030
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $64,380
    Michigan $62,550
    Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,500

    Related occupations in Athens, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $36,490
    Electricians $58,340
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $66,230
    Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers $50,380
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $52,000
    Carpenters $48,510

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Athens?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Athens, GA is $20.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.77 or more per hour.

    Is Athens above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Athens, GA is 27.7% below the national median of $58,710. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Athens?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Athens, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,880.