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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $77,510 +32% vs national
Median hourly $37.26
10th percentile $56,960
90th percentile $97,050
Employed locally 1,730
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
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,960
    25th
    $65,440
    50th (median)
    $77,510
    75th
    $93,570
    90th
    $97,050

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 101% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 1% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $81,770
    Wausau, WI $78,250
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $77,810
    Appleton, WI $76,010
    Madison, WI $75,610
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $73,500

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $55,420
    Electricians $76,820
    Carpenters $62,260
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $91,280
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $82,080
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $50,610

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Milwaukee, WI is $37.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.49 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Milwaukee, WI is 32% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $56,960 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,440.