Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in South Illinois

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

Median annual salary $78,770 +34.2% vs national
Median hourly $37.87
10th percentile $48,550
90th percentile $102,190
Employed locally 610
National median $58,710

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
South Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,550
    25th
    $62,580
    50th (median)
    $78,770
    75th
    $94,310
    90th
    $102,190

    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 South Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $60,650
    Highway Maintenance Workers $57,590
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $90,960
    Electricians $94,110
    Carpenters $67,000
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $75,350

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Illinois is $37.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.79 or more per hour.

    Is South 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 South Illinois is 34.2% 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 South Illinois?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,550 per year in South Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,580.