Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Central North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $46,730 -20.4% vs national
Median hourly $22.47
10th percentile $36,590
90th percentile $60,190
Employed locally 890
National median $58,710

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Central North Carolina
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,590
    25th
    $40,370
    50th (median)
    $46,730
    75th
    $51,360
    90th
    $60,190

    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

    Related occupations in Central North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $38,660
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $64,940
    Electricians $50,350
    Carpenters $41,600
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $47,010
    Highway Maintenance Workers $43,250

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Central North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Central North Carolina is $22.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.27 or more per hour.

    Is Central North Carolina above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Central North Carolina is 20.4% 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 Central North Carolina?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,590 per year in Central North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,370.