Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Helena, MT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Helena, MT

Median annual salary $59,860 +2% vs national
Median hourly $28.78
10th percentile $44,880
90th percentile $75,850
Employed locally 200
National median $58,710

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Helena, MT
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,880
    25th
    $52,830
    50th (median)
    $59,860
    75th
    $62,400
    90th
    $75,850

    Helena economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,040 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 81% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 19% 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
    Binghamton, NY $73,740
    Bozeman, MT $65,640
    Missoula, MT $62,800
    Great Falls, MT $61,910
    Billings, MT $60,850
    Sumter, SC $49,080

    Related occupations in Helena, MT

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $73,790
    Construction Laborers $46,190
    Carpenters $57,540
    Electricians $62,880
    Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $56,160
    Highway Maintenance Workers $60,640

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Helena, MT is $28.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Helena, MT is 2% 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 Helena?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $44,880 per year in Helena, MT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,830.