Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Lafayette, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

Median annual salary $79,780 +35.9% vs national
Median hourly $38.36
10th percentile $46,430
90th percentile $92,810
Employed locally 350
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
Lafayette, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,430
    25th
    $60,400
    50th (median)
    $79,780
    75th
    $86,540
    90th
    $92,810

    Lafayette economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,895 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 133% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 33% above 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
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950
    Illinois $96,980
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $94,110
    Bloomington, IL $93,510
    South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI $82,460

    Related occupations in Lafayette, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $76,980
    Construction Laborers $50,330
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,240
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $60,280
    Carpenters $59,420
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $45,610

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Lafayette, IN is $38.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.85 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Lafayette, IN is 35.9% 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 Lafayette?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $46,430 per year in Lafayette, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,400.