Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Southwest Virginia

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

Median annual salary $52,100 -11.3% vs national
Median hourly $25.05
10th percentile $38,530
90th percentile $84,480
Employed locally 650
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
Southwest Virginia
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,530
    25th
    $46,490
    50th (median)
    $52,100
    75th
    $65,360
    90th
    $84,480

    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 Virginia

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $65,560
    Construction Laborers $38,020
    Carpenters $45,080
    Highway Maintenance Workers $47,480
    Electricians $66,690
    Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining $50,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Southwest Virginia is $25.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.36 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Virginia 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 Virginia is 11.3% 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 Virginia?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,530 per year in Southwest Virginia. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,490.