Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Cleveland, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cleveland, OH

Median annual salary $66,370 +13% vs national
Median hourly $31.91
10th percentile $47,120
90th percentile $97,710
Employed locally 2,730
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
Cleveland, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,120
    25th
    $53,470
    50th (median)
    $66,370
    75th
    $91,840
    90th
    $97,710

    Cleveland economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,507 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 97% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 3% 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
    Columbus, OH $75,000
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $65,140
    Ohio $62,410
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $62,410
    Akron, OH $61,560
    Toledo, OH $61,440

    Related occupations in Cleveland, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$56,470
    Electricians$65,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$78,090
    Carpenters$59,610
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$62,820
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance$56,280

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Cleveland, OH is $31.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.96 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Cleveland, OH is 13% 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 Cleveland?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,120 per year in Cleveland, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,470.