Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Southwest Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $54,310 -7.5% vs national
Median hourly $26.11
10th percentile $45,040
90th percentile $78,240
Employed locally 340
National median $58,710

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Southwest Iowa
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,040
    25th
    $48,850
    50th (median)
    $54,310
    75th
    $62,140
    90th
    $78,240

    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 Southwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $46,090
    Highway Maintenance Workers $54,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $63,670
    Carpenters $47,300
    Electricians $58,660
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $49,390

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Southwest Iowa is $26.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.79 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Southwest Iowa is 7.5% 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 Southwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,040 per year in Southwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,850.