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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $63,290 +7.8% vs national
Median hourly $30.43
10th percentile $51,630
90th percentile $79,930
Employed locally 5,400
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
Denver, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,630
    25th
    $59,530
    50th (median)
    $63,290
    75th
    $74,600
    90th
    $79,930

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 62% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 38% 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 Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,160
    Electricians $63,010
    Construction Laborers $48,110
    Carpenters $61,470
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $64,300
    Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $61,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Denver, CO is $30.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Denver, CO is 7.8% 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 Denver?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $51,630 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,530.