Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Blacksburg, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

Median annual salary $48,700 -17% vs national
Median hourly $23.42
10th percentile $39,170
90th percentile $82,240
Employed locally 420
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
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Blacksburg, VA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,170
    25th
    $46,690
    50th (median)
    $48,700
    75th
    $62,980
    90th
    $82,240

    Blacksburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,627 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 75% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 25% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Vallejo, CA $91,590
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $79,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,800
    Evansville, IN $76,790
    Nevada $72,780

    Related occupations in Blacksburg, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$39,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$62,600
    Carpenters$46,450
    Electricians$58,390
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$50,750
    Highway Maintenance Workers$49,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Blacksburg, VA is $23.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.75 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Blacksburg, VA is 17% 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 Blacksburg?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,170 per year in Blacksburg, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,690.