Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $84,130 +43.3% vs national
Median hourly $40.45
10th percentile $49,480
90th percentile $84,130
Employed locally 420
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
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,480
    25th
    $63,120
    50th (median)
    $84,130
    75th
    $84,130
    90th
    $84,130

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 122% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 22% above 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
    California $89,120
    Peoria, IL $84,160
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $80,050
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $79,410
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $75,290
    Indiana $72,370

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $47,930
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $76,010
    Electricians $64,700
    Carpenters $53,130
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $60,420
    Highway Maintenance Workers $56,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Waterloo, IA is $40.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.01 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Waterloo, IA is 43.3% 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,480 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,120.