Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $50,870 -13.4% vs national
Median hourly $24.46
10th percentile $40,410
90th percentile $63,160
Employed locally 490
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
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,410
    25th
    $46,880
    50th (median)
    $50,870
    75th
    $58,700
    90th
    $63,160

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 63% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 37% 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
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $79,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,800
    Anchorage, AK $73,940
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $73,500
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $73,470

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $57,700
    Construction Laborers $44,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $75,640
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $58,980
    Carpenters $48,910
    Construction and Building Inspectors $75,380

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Durham, NC is $24.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.25 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Durham, NC is 13.4% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $40,410 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,880.