Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Madison, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Madison, WI

Median annual salary $75,610 +28.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.35
10th percentile $55,460
90th percentile $99,190
Employed locally 760
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
Madison, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,460
    25th
    $62,980
    50th (median)
    $75,610
    75th
    $95,950
    90th
    $99,190

    Madison economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,827 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 87% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 13% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $81,770
    Wausau, WI $78,250
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $77,810
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $77,510
    Appleton, WI $76,010
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $73,500

    Related occupations in Madison, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $53,430
    Carpenters $62,490
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $83,470
    Electricians $77,560
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $99,450
    Highway Maintenance Workers $60,860

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Madison, WI is $36.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Madison, WI is 28.8% 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 Madison?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $55,460 per year in Madison, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,980.