Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $51,430 -12.4% vs national
Median hourly $24.72
10th percentile $38,950
90th percentile $77,900
Employed locally 1,330
National median $58,710

Compare Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,950
    25th
    $47,540
    50th (median)
    $51,430
    75th
    $61,920
    90th
    $77,900

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 83% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 17% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Orleans, LA is $24.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.25 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in New Orleans, LA is 12.4% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,950 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,540.