Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $50,660 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.35
10th percentile $40,660
90th percentile $62,230
Employed locally 2,670
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
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,660
    25th
    $47,590
    50th (median)
    $50,660
    75th
    $59,180
    90th
    $62,230

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 53% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 47% 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
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $79,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,800
    Anchorage, AK $73,940
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $73,500
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $73,470

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $44,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $76,600
    Electricians $54,820
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $55,560
    Carpenters $49,520
    Construction and Building Inspectors $73,540

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Raleigh, NC is $24.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.71 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Raleigh, NC is 13.7% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $40,660 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,590.