Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $60,840 +3.6% vs national
Median hourly $29.25
10th percentile $45,310
90th percentile $81,380
Employed locally 5,780
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
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,310
    25th
    $51,070
    50th (median)
    $60,840
    75th
    $73,110
    90th
    $81,380

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 49% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 51% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $46,500
    Electricians $75,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,100
    Carpenters $59,450
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $64,030
    Construction and Building Inspectors $78,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $29.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.47 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 3.6% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,310 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,070.