Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Northwest Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $94,110 +60.3% vs national
Median hourly $45.25
10th percentile $47,550
90th percentile $112,610
Employed locally 480
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
Northwest Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,550
    25th
    $63,760
    50th (median)
    $94,110
    75th
    $110,310
    90th
    $112,610

    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

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$57,630
    Electricians$76,260
    Carpenters$62,660
    Highway Maintenance Workers$53,430
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$78,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$91,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Northwest Illinois is $45.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Northwest Illinois is 60.3% 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 Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,550 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,760.