Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $49,880 -15% vs national
Median hourly $23.98
10th percentile $37,200
90th percentile $72,880
Employed locally 340
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
Lake Charles, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,200
    25th
    $45,440
    50th (median)
    $49,880
    75th
    $62,250
    90th
    $72,880

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 74% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 26% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $82,740
    Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN $79,780
    Michigan City-La Porte, IN $79,660
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $79,500

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $46,850
    Carpenters $50,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $66,280
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $71,050
    Electricians $62,320
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $45,010

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Lake Charles, LA is $23.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.59 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Lake Charles, LA is 15% 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 Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,200 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,440.