Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Tucson, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tucson, AZ

Median annual salary $57,100 -2.7% vs national
Median hourly $27.45
10th percentile $45,050
90th percentile $72,510
Employed locally 1,370
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
Tucson, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,050
    25th
    $46,640
    50th (median)
    $57,100
    75th
    $61,230
    90th
    $72,510

    Tucson economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,929 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 84% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 16% 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
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $62,210
    Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $61,140
    Flagstaff, AZ $59,840
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $57,180
    Yuma, AZ $53,360
    Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ $50,360

    Related occupations in Tucson, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $43,270
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $72,370
    Carpenters $47,720
    Electricians $56,880
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $58,210
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $45,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tucson, AZ is $27.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.18 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Tucson, AZ is 2.7% 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 Tucson?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,050 per year in Tucson, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,640.