Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Boulder, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boulder, CO

Median annual salary $65,830 +12.1% vs national
Median hourly $31.65
10th percentile $51,160
90th percentile $79,570
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
Boulder, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,160
    25th
    $59,110
    50th (median)
    $65,830
    75th
    $77,050
    90th
    $79,570

    Boulder economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,772 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 64% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 36% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $85,520
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $80,550
    Chico, CA $76,980
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,800
    Connecticut $76,690

    Related occupations in Boulder, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Carpenters $59,610
    Construction Laborers $46,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,960
    Electricians $62,570
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $69,660
    Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $60,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Boulder, CO is $31.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Boulder, CO is 12.1% above 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 Boulder?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $51,160 per year in Boulder, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,110.